Moldovan police halt LGBT march after attacks by counterprotesters
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 May 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Moldovan police halt LGBT march after attacks by counterprotesters, 21 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59818d92c.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Last Updated: May 21, 2017 14:38 GMT
By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service
This story contains a video component; use the link below to view the video on RFE/RL's page.
CHISINAU – A protest march organized by Moldova's LGBT community on May 21 in the capital, Chisinau, was halted after just several hundred meters as police sought to avert a confrontation with participants in a counterprotest made up of "Orthodox priests and believers."
Scores of participants in the LGBT march, who were wearing white shirts with the logo of the No Fear social campaign, were evacuated in buses by police after eggs and water were thrown at them by those attenting the counterprotest.
The march had been called to protest what members of the LGBT community perceive as antigay legislation in Moldova.
Meanwhile, Moldova's pro-Russian President Igor Dodon, who has been critical of the LGBT community and its march, which he said contradicted "our traditional values," attended a separate counterrally in downtown Chisinau, called the Traditional Family Festival.
Dodon was accompanied by his children and was photographed with other children and parents.
On May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, 10 ambassadors to Moldova issued a joint statement voicing hope that the LGBT march would take place without incident.
The statement was signed by the envoys of the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
