Russia Police Violently Attack Slavic Gay Pride

Russian Policy Violently Attack Slavic Gay Pride

40 arrested as Moscow anti-riot police use violence to break up Slavic Pride march
 
Boycott Eurovision, say Pride organisers
 
Moscow - 16th May
 
Sources from Moscow have reported that police have used violent and oppressive tactics to break up the peaceful Slavic Pride march in the city.
 
The march had been outlawed by Moscow city authorities, but permission had been given for counter-demonstrations by far right ultra-nationalists.
 
Between 35 and 40 Russian LGBT activists have been arrested, including British human rights activist Peter Tatchell and Chicago LGBT activist Andy Thayer. Pride organiser Nikolai Alekseev was held down by 5 fully armed riot police and arrested.
 
European Embassy diplomats witnessed the violence are said to be planning a joint diplomatic action.
 
Slavic Pride organisers have called on the artists and performers of Eurovision to boycott tonight's showpiece event in solidarity with the beaten and arrested protesters.
 
Organiser Nikolai Alekseev said
 
"I call upon all of the artists who are due to perform at tonight's Eurovision to boycott tonight's event and send a message that Russia's state oppression of human rights is not acceptable.
 
"The Russian Government is using this years Eurovision in Moscow as a gala showpiece to show the world how far the country has improved since the early 1990's.  However, what was witnessed this afternoon on the streets of Moscow shows the world just how little Russia has travelled when it comes to supporting fundamental human rights.
 
"The police brutality that we witnessed here this afternoon is shocking. We planned a peaceful march to highlight the dire state of LGBT rights in Russia today. The police, given violent legitimacy by the openly homophobic Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov, did not hold back with their weapons, despite the world's media watching.
 
"We were defending the often violated human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Russians. We demand the same legal protection against discrimination and hate crimes that none LGBT people enjoy.
 
"This episode has shamed the Russian Government and Moscow authorities before the world."  
 
See Peter Tatchell

Gay Iraqi Leader Assassinated in Baghdad

Things are not going so well for gay people in "liberated" Iraq..
Gay Iraqi Leader Assassinated in Baghdad

LGBT publication EDGE writes that in Iraq, “for gays and lesbians at least, times have never been worse.” Peter Tatchell of Outrage! reported on the most recent atrocity on Sept. 25, when an LGBT leader was gunned down:

"This morning, I received news from Iraq that the coordinator of Iraqi LGBT in Baghdad, Bashar, aged 27, a university student, has been assassinated in a barber shop.

Militias burst in and sprayed his body with bullets at point blank range.

He was the organiser of the safe houses for gays and lesbians in Baghdad. His efforts saved the lives of dozens of people.

“Homosexuality was generally tolerated under Saddam,” Hali, founder of Iraqi LGBT, said in 2007. “There certainly was no danger of gay people being assassinated in the street by police. … Life in Iraq now is hell for all LGBT people; no one can be openly gay and alive.”

From Think Progress, Iraqi Gay Leader Gunned Down

Gays Attacked & Arrested in Moscow

Gay Activist Peter Tatchell Getting Punched by Russian Nationalist in Moscow

It looks like the spirit of Jerry Falwell lives on in Russia, as gays are attacked by right-wing fascists and orthodox Christians in Moscow, and arrested by the police for exercising their "freedom" to speak and assemble. British human rights activist Peter Tatchell was among the protesters attacked. One crucifix-bearing Christian threatened to beat up any gay person he saw! The Christian attackers called the gays "satanic"! Maybe they have been listening to too much Pat Robertson in Russia. Looks like Russia has embraced Western Christianity.