BUDVA, Montenegro — Several hundred people shouting "Kill the gays" attacked gay activists and clashed with police on Wednesday in a bid to disrupt the first ever pride event in staunchly conservative Montenegro, which is seeking to improve its human rights record as it bids to join the European Union.
Angry assailants threw rocks, bottles, glasses and various other objects — including chairs from local cafes — at several dozen flag-waving gay activists who shouted back "Kiss the gays." A shower of stones and bottles also landed on special police securing the gathering in the coastal town of Budva.
Police then intervened to push the attackers away and allow the event to continue. The participants briefly marched by the sea before they stopped to hold speeches as extremists shouted insults from a distance. Later, police again clashed with smaller groups of opponents scattered throughout the town, while the gay activists left the town by boat for security reasons.
Interior Minister Rasko Konjevic praised the police, saying they prevented more serious clashes. Konjevic said several people have been injured, none seriously. Police said about 20 people have been detained.
"Unfortunately, in 20 years of transition Montenegro has not matured enough to tolerate differences," said Aleksandar Zekovic, one of the organizers of the rally.
Zdravko Cimbaljevic, who in 2010 was the first person in Montenegro to publicly declare that he was gay, added that "I expected opposition but this attack is actually the real image of Montenegro."
The U.S. embassy condemned the violence in a statement, urging the authorities to "take appropriate measures" against those responsible.
"The United States will continue to work with our partners in Montenegro to combat abuses against the LGBT community and to ensure that all people in Montenegro are treated equally, regardless of sexual orientation," the statement added.
