EuroPride: Nationalists join church protest in Belgrade against Europe's largest LGBT event
Thousands of religious and right-wing opponents of plans to hold Europe's largest LGBT pride celebration in Belgrade marched through the Serbian capital on Sunday night.
The Balkan country's President Aleksandar Vučić said at the weekend that September's scheduled event would be "cancelled or postponed", although organisers have vowed that it will go ahead.
Sunday's protest was led by clergy from the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian branch of the "Night Wolves", a Russian biker group that staunchly supports Vladimir Putin.
Although it was held during a procession to mark a religious holiday, the demonstration was announced as a protest against the Pride event to "save Serbia".
Marchers claimed to be defending traditional family values. "Save our children and family," read one of the banners, while some protesters carried crosses.
Speaking to the crowd, Bishop Nikanor of the Serbian Orthodox Church welcomed the decision to cancel what he called "a desecration of our country, our church and our family".
People are ready to take to the streets again to oppose "those who intend to destroy Serbia's values," he said, according to images broadcast on the Glas Javnosti news website.
Others chanted slogans in support of far-right or nationalist causes. Some waved Russian flags, a show of support for Moscow, Serbia's traditional ally.
EuroPride is the largest LGBTQ+ event featuring a Pride parade on the continent, hosted by a different European city each year. Belgrade is due to host the EuroPride march on 17 September, as part of a week-long celebration.
Announcing the ban on Saturday, Vučić cited a number of issues including "a significant crisis in Kosovo", saying the move was backed by a majority of government ministers.
Serbia
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