Tbilisi Pride Cancels March After Violent anti-LGBT Demonstrations

Tbilisi Pride said it is cancelling LGBTQ+ March for Dignity, citing lack of safety guarantees by the Georgian Dream Government.

"The authorities did not ensure the security of the community and our supporters," a statement on Facebook read.

Activists posted photos and videos of people breaking into the premises and some journalists had reported that their equipment was broken in the attack.

We would like to state that the #PrideMarch will not take place today. The authorities did not ensure the security of the community and our supporters. We can not go to the streets full of violent people backed by the authorities and patriarchate and put people's lives at risk!

— Tbilisi Pride (@TbilisiPride) July 5, 2021

Organisers said they had been "actively communicating" with the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs about security ahead of the march.

"The actions of the government have clearly shown that they don't want to perform its direct duty," organisers added.

"The inaction of the executive power has put the health and lives of Georgian citizens in real danger."

Campaigners also called on the international community to oppose "radical groups" and pro-Russian anti-LGBT voices in Georgia.