Police in Belgrade, Serbia, have banned the pride march scheduled for next Saturday as the culmination of EuroPride 2022 events, organised by Europe’s LGBTI communities, on grounds of public safety.

The organisers responded by claiming that the march will take place normally, despite the formal bans by the authorities.

The police also banned a protest rally planned for Saturday by groups and organisations opposing the action of the LGBTI community.

EuroPride week started on Monday with the raising of the LGBTI flag outside the government building in Belgrade. On a daily basis, various cultural events and lectures are planned with the participation of activists from all over Europe, while the pride march on Saturday will be the culmination of EuroPride.

The reactions in Serbia to the activities are intense but all peaceful. Conservative groups of politicians, right-wing organizations, and the Orthodox Church of Serbia are at the forefront of reactions against the LGBTI movement.

On Sunday, a massive march took place with thousands of citizens, including many priests holding religious banners, icons, and crosses demonstrating their opposition to EuroPride and their support for the institution of the family. The march that started from the headquarters of the Patriarchate ended in front of the church of Agios Savvas, where the service of the Patriarch of the Serbs, Porphyrios, was held.

In his speech, the head of the Serbian Church supported the institution of the family and stated that the Orthodox religion does not accept the ideology of LGBTI, however, he emphasised that he is against any form of violence against members of the community. From today until Saturday, by order of the Patriarch of the Serbs, in all Orthodox churches and monasteries, a prayer will be read daily in favour of the sanctity of marriage and the family.

In 2001 and 2010 when the first pride marches of the LGBTI community took place in Belgrade, serious clashes took place. Since 2014, pride marches have been held regularly, every year, under the supervision of a strong police force.

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