Attackers stone Romania gay rights march
Sat Jun 9, 11:26 PM ET
BUCHAREST, Romania - Police used tear gas against protesters who hurled stones at the annual gay rights parade in the Romanian capital Saturday, officials said.
About 100 people were detained for throwing stones and fireworks at police and about 400 participants in the gay rights march, said Christian Ciocan, a police spokesman. Police responded with tear gas. Nobody was injured, he said.
"We regret that our opponents use violence ... Police only did their job to protect an authorized march," said Florin Buhuceanu, one of the organizers of the gay rights march. "It is our right to express our beliefs and we will not renounce in the face of violence."
Romania decriminalized homosexuality in 2001.
On Tuesday, two men leaving a Bucharest cinema that hosts the annual "Gay Fest" festival were beaten by eight attackers. Police stopped the attack and arrested several people.