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Attackers Stone Romania Gay Rights March

The Associated Press
Saturday, June 9, 2007; 11:26 PM

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.


A gay cleric looks over a line of riot police during a gay parade in Bucharest Romania Saturday June 9 2007. Minor clashes occured between police and anti-gay protesters during a gay march in the Romanian capital.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A gay cleric looks over a line of riot police during a gay parade in Bucharest Romania Saturday June 9 2007. Minor clashes occured between police and anti-gay protesters during a gay march in the Romanian capital.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (Vadim Ghirda - AP)

"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.


© 2007 The Associated Press