Just three years ago, the Kiev Pride parade was called off when right-wing activists attacked the 300 participants with smoke grenades and injured more than a dozen.
Sunday’s outcome in the Ukrainian capital, though, was far different.
Thanks to the Ukraine government’s newfound support of civil rights, a wave of police officers removed right-wing protesters who had blocked the parade route. When they resisted and fought police, 56 right-wingers were detained, according to the Agence France-Presse news agency.
Get the Daily Brief
The news you care about, reported on by the people who care about you:
This year’s numbers from Kiev, with 2.8 million people, make the turnaround even more impressive. Joining its Pride parade were an estimated 5,000 LGBTQ people and allies, including U.S. Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, at the front. Protecting them were 5,000 police officers.
The 150 right-wing protesters didn’t stand a chance. A dramatic drone video shows the police methodically surrounding the protestors, who then fought police before the arrests.
https://www.facebook.com/c14.news.reserve/videos/175205459996910/
The Kiev police presence stands in contrast with other locations, like Toronto, where LGBTQ people have an uneasy relationship with law enforcement. After a string of gay murders were not investigated, Toronto parade organizers asked police not to wear uniforms in its June 24 parade.
Related: Toronto police won’t march in pride parade after botched investigation of gay murder victims
In Kiev, Reuters reports that the arrested protesters had attacked police with gas canisters. Far-right group C14 complained on social media that police protect sexual minorities and violate the rights of Kiev’s citizens, Reuters said.
But one Pride marcher, a 19-year-old named Liza, noted how the police presence was still necessary at this point in Kiev.
“There must always be the police, otherwise someone will come, otherwise someone will interrupt, otherwise someone will attack,” she said. “I think this is not the way it should be in a civilized country.”
