Kiev : At least seven people were injured and more than 20 arrested in Kiev as scuffles broke out between members of a rare Ukrainian gay pride march and their nationalist opponents, reports AFP. The socially-conservative country — locked in a bruising war with pro-Russian insurgents — is seeking a closer alliance with Europe and remains keen to promote civil liberties freely enjoyed in much of the West.
The “March of Equality” parade staged at a scenic stretch of the Dniepr River on the northern outskirts of Kiev — only the second march in Ukraine’s post-Soviet history — was scheduled to last only 10 minutes out of security concerns. Members of the Pravy Sektor (Right Sector) nationalist organisation — often seen spearheading the demonstrations that toppled a Russian-backed president last year — had on this occasion threatened to disrupt the protest and defend more conservative traditions.
But around 100 activists still showed up for the rally after being informed of its location by the main organisers only a few hours in advance.
“This march shows that we exist. We are fighting for equal rights that, unlike others in Ukraine, we currently lack,” said a 31-year-old woman who agreed to identify herself only as Vira out of concerns for both her safety and future career prospects.
