Serb Police Clash With Anti-Gay Rioters In Belgrade

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Two days before Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Belgrade, the city erupted in a wave of violence.

Thousands of hooligans tried to break up a gay pride march Sunday, clashing with anti-riot police. More than 110 officers were injured and more than 200 rioters arrested in what was a test for the Serbian government to show it can protect human rights.

Running battles lasted hours, as hooligans and nationalist right-wingers hurled Molotov cocktails and bricks at police.

Cars were set on fire, shops were looted and a mobile breast cancer detection unit was destroyed.

Roughly 5,600 police officers were deployed in four concentric cordons to keep marchers far away from rioters who were chanting "death to homosexuals."

Throughout the Balkans, societies have been slow in accepting gay rights.

As the marchers with rainbow peace flags gathered, lawyer Mrko Tipkovic could not hide his disgust for homosexuality.

"It is highly morbid," Tipkovic said. "Medicine says so, psychologists and psychiatrists say it is morbid. New age is total catastrophe."

Interior Minister Ivica Davic said it's worrisome that among the 6,000 well-organized rioters, more than half were under 18.

Radmila Stojanovic, who came to show her solidarity with the marchers, said violence is a legacy of strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

"This country has been at war hating this nation, that nation, this group and it kind of perpetuates itself," Stojanovic said. "When you develop that mentality of us and them, and we hate them and we fight them, then in the end you always find somebody who is unlike you to fight."

Under intense security, some 1,000 gay pride marchers were ushered into a park. There was a large contingent of foreigners, western diplomats and journalists.

Many gays stayed home for fear of being recognized by their neighbors and employers.

Ivana Howard of the Washington-based National Endowment for Democracy says there are several factors that encourage homophobia: "Violent politicians who themselves use hate speech. The church is playing a very negative role portraying homosexuality as a disease, so it is hard to expect of an average citizen to understand why this is important and why these citizens have equal rights just like anyone else."

A woman who goes by the name of Kosmogina wore a T-shirt reading: "Nobody Knows I'm A Lesbian."

Enlarge this image toggle caption Sylvia Poggioli/NPR Sylvia Poggioli/NPR

"It is very difficult to show feelings, to show relationships," Kosmogina said. "Just holding hands, kissing, it is dangerous."

Cheering and blowing whistles, marchers took a brief walk around government buildings on empty streets secured by thousands of police flanked by armored vehicles.

Dutch gay activist Frank Van Dalen helped organize this first Serbian gay pride event in nine years. In 2001, police stood by as hooligans beat many marchers to a pulp.

"This is a small step," Van Dalen said. "But it will take many years before every single gay and lesbian in this country can be out and open in the pride."

The festivities were abruptly cut short when police ordered an immediate evacuation.

Dozens of police vans -- usually used to transport prisoners -- were put at marchers' disposal. Locked inside, in complete darkness, they were escorted to safety.