Polish city defies threats to hold first Pride march

October 21, 2018
Issue 
Lublin holds it first-ever Pride march.

The Polish city of Lublin held its first Pride parade on October 13 amid threats and obstructions, TeleSUR English reported.

The parade involved about 1500 participants. About 200 counter-demonstrators showed up to disrupt the celebrations by throwing bottles, bricks, stones and flaming projectiles at attendees.

Lublin Mayor Krzysztof Zuk had announced in the days leading up to the Pride March that it was banned due to security concerns. It was believed that regional governor Przemysław Czarnek, a member of the anti-LGBTI Law and Justice party, influenced the decision.

Czarnek claimed that the march would promote “paedophilia” and “sexual behaviour incompatible with nature”.

“It is deeply depressing that we keep having to have the same conversations about Poland,” European Pride Organisers Association president Kristine Garina said in response.

“The Equality March must be allowed to go ahead. Right-wing and homophobic city officials like Mayor Zuk must realize they cannot stand in the way of LGBTI people’s human rights, even when elections are approaching.”

Poland’s Court of Appeals overruled the ban on the day before the march, citing freedom of assembly laws.

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