Polish police use tear gas to protect gay rights march

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Monika Scislowska, Associated Press
Updated 3:09 pm CDT, Saturday, October 13, 2018

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish police used tear gas and a water cannon Saturday against right-wing extremists who were trying to block the first equality parade in the city of Lublin in eastern Poland.

More than 1,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights activists with rainbow-colored flags and banners gathered Saturday in Lublin for the parade, while around 300 right-wing opponents stood in the march's way. Police used tear gas, concussion grenades and high-pressured water to disperse them.

The right-wing protesters pelted police with stones and dispersed, but some small groups tried to get through the police cordon that was protecting the march.

The colorful parade then proceeded undisturbed.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Polish-police-use-tear-gas-to-protect-gay-march-13304575.php

[Chrysanthemum]

1. Now THAT'S surprising!

They have a right-wing government, no? And religiously the country is still pretty conservative.

I'm happy to see progress there!

[blue-wave]

3. They Did Try to Ban The Parade But

An Appeals Court ruled in favor of the parade, so it went on. Yes, a little progress. But for how long with the ruling Law and Justice party taking over the courts too? I also wonder if Donald Tusk's recent visit was to send a message to the ruling party?

Court ruling about the parade:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/polish-gay-parade-to-go-ahead-after-court-overrules-mayor/2018/10/12/333b5fb6-ce31-11e8-ad0a-0e01efba3cc1_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.7f88fd8339d5


Law and Justice court takeover:
https://freedomhouse.org/report/special-reports/hostile-takeover-how-law-and-justice-captured-poland-s-courts


Visegrad Four group's view on Tusk visit:
https://rmx.news/content/real-reason-tusks-visit-krak%C3%B3w

[JudyM]

2. K & R.

Thanks for posting this, Judi Lynn!