Georgia: Right-wing, anti-LGBTQ+ mob storms Tbilisi Pride, setting fire to rainbow flags.
Thousands of right-wing protestors stormed a LGBTQ+ Pride event in Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi, setting fire to rainbow flags and clashing with police.
Organisers of Tbilisi Pride announced on Saturday (8 July) that they had been forced to shut down the event as participants were evacuated to safety after the authorities failed to maintain the perimeter.
The exact number of those making up the anti-LGBTQ+ mob has varied in media reports of the incident. Some report hundreds while others place the figure closer to 2,000 or 5,000 right-wing protestors marching towards the lakeside park where the event was held.
Many of the protestors, who included Orthodox Christian clergy, waved the red and white flags of Georgia and religious icons while they scuffled with police.
Others destroyed items at the LGBTQ+ event, vandalised the stage, burned Pride flags and looted the area, though there were no reports of injuries.
