Guy activists march in Serbia

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Waving rainbow-colored flags, several hundred gay activists proceeded undisturbed through downtown Belgrade on Sunday thanks to the protection of thousands of anti-riot police officers, reports DW.
The march advanced for only several hundred meters through the empty Belgrade streets where shops were closed and public transport was stopped. Still, it was important symbolically as a rare public event staged by gays in this highly conservative Balkan country.
Water cannons, armored vehicles and shielded policemen blocked traffic on the route of the march amid threats of attacks from extreme nationalists, as Serbia tried to show it respects human rights of all of its citizens as it seeks European Union membership.
Only sporadic skirmishes were reported between small groups of extremists and police who blocked them from reaching the march route.
"This is a very positive and strong message," Michael Davenport, head of the European Union, EU mission in Serbia, told the pride rally. "It is also a strong message to those using the hate language."
Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali who joined the march together with several foreign diplomats, government members and Serbian party leaders, said it was a chance to show that Belgrade is a world capital "where all of its citizens are equal."
"I'm a little bit scared, but I believe it will be fine," added Darko Pandurevic, 23, an activist from the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, who came to offer his support.
Officials allowed Sunday's event despite fears of a repeat of the violence in 2010 when right-wing groups attacked a pride march in Belgrade, triggering clashes with police that left more than 100 people injured. Authorities banned gay rights marches planned for the following three years, citing security reasons.
On Saturday, thousands of extremists protested in Belgrade against the march.

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