 | This article may contain excessive or inappropriate references to self-published sources. (January 2024) |
| 2023 attack on Tbilisi Pride | |
|---|---|
 Far-right, Ultranationalist and other Georgian anti-LGBT protesters marching with flags. | |
| Date | July 8, 2023 12 pm – 4 pm |
| Location | |
| Caused by | Ultranationalist and anti-LGBT reaction to an attempt to hold a Pride Parade |
| Resulted in | Pride parade being cancelled and paraders being evacuated. |
| Casualties | |
| Arrested | several |
| Damage | Property damage, fire was started which caused some property damage outside and inside the park, parade stage was destroyed, bar and restaurant was looted. |
The 2023 attack on Tbilisi Pride (Georgian: 2023 წლის თავდასხმა თბილისის პრაიდზე) was a violent counter-demonstration and protest held by far-right, nationalist and ultranationalist groups against Tbilisi Pride, a LGBT festival in Tbilisi, Georgia.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Tbilisi Pride started their week-long series of events on July 1, with plans to hold their "March for Dignity" on July 8 at 12 pm at Lisi Lake. Many Far-right, Nationalist, Ultranationalist and Fascist groups posted on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook that a counter-demonstration was planned against the pride event, violent threats were made against the pride event and the planners before the event took place.
On July 8, protesters gathered in Saburtalo District in Tbilisi at 1pm to block roads and march to Lisi Lake. They passed through Nutsubidze Plato II, III, and IV micro districts. Police forces met them with fences and barbed wire. The protesters clashed with police forces, which resulted in several arrests of anti-LGBT and far-right demonstrators. The far-right groups broke barricades and entered the festival venue. Deputy interior minister Alexander Darakhvelidze stated that no one was harmed during the incident, and that the police evacuated the organizers of pride parade from Lisi lake by bus. Tbilisi Pride announced the parade was cancelled due to the danger of anti-LGBT protesters.[10]
- ^ Kennedy, Niamh (2023-07-08). "Tbilisi Pride festival canceled after violent anti-LGBTQ protests". CNN. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "Civil Georgia | Police Stands by as Far-Right Groups Attack Tbilisi Pride Festival". civil.ge. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "Anti-LGBT protesters break up Pride festival in Georgia". Reuters. 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "LGBT+ Pride event in Georgia evacuated as far-right protesters storm site". POLITICO. 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "A mob storms Tbilisi Pride Fest site forcing the event's cancellation". CTVNews. 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "Tbilisi Pride festival cancelled after right-wing disruptions". UPI. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "A Mob Storms Tbilisi Pride Fest Site, Forcing the Event's Cancellation". usnews.com. 2023.
- ^ "Tbilisi Pride: Participants were evacuated from the "Pride Festival" area". Georgia Today. 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "Tbilisi Pride Event Cancelled After Far-Right Group Storms Festival Grounds". Yahoo News. 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "Violent Protesters Storm, Disrupt LGBT Pride Festival In Tbilisi". Radio Liberty. 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.