JS leader says Pride Parade should be cancelled

United Serbia (JS) leader Dragan Markovic said Tuesday that the October 2 Pride Parade should be cancelled. He added that the organizers would otherwise be responsible for possible violence. JS leader says Pride Parade should be cancelled He told a press conference that the JS opposed all forms of violence and called on those who were against this "shame parade" to refrain themselves from such behavior. The JS leader drew a parallel between sports events and all other manifestations in the sense that the organizers are the ones that should be held responsible in case of incidents. “A gathering will be organized in Jagodina on the same day, but this Pride Parade will promote traditional family values, Markovic announced. Dragan Markovic Police union warns of potential riots The Independent Trade Union of Police warned Tuesday that certain groups were planning to start riots during the Belgrade Pride Parade and called on the organizers to cancel the event, scheduled for October 2. "We have information that certain groups are planning not only attacks for that day, but riots as well and calling the operation Belgrade in Flames," the Independent Trade Union of Police President Momcilo Vidojevic told a news conference. He did not specify the groups, but added there was information that riots would happen in all of Belgrade suburbs and other parts of Serbia. Vidojevic called on all police unions and the top Interior Ministry officials to come out with a joint stand on police involvement in securing the parade. According to him, the Independent Trade Union of Police will refrain until Friday from calling on its members to go out or refuse to go out into the streets and provide security during the parade. "The police can secure any event, but how many officers will end up with their heads smashed," he remarked. "The police have protective gear for about 2,300 officers, and there were 6,000 at the last year's parade,“ the union president pointed out. According to Vidojevic, the police alone suffered EUR 1.5mn in damages during the last year's parade, with around 200 officers sustaining injuries. The union also requested that Labor Minister Rasim Ljajic inspect police equipment and order the Interior Ministry, as the employer, to ensure that police officers have everything necessary for their work.

JS leader says Pride Parade should be cancelled

He told a press conference that the JS opposed all forms of violence and called on those who were against this "shame parade" to refrain themselves from such behavior.

The JS leader drew a parallel between sports events and all other manifestations in the sense that the organizers are the ones that should be held responsible in case of incidents.

“A gathering will be organized in Jagodina on the same day, but this Pride Parade will promote traditional family values, Marković announced.

Police union warns of potential riots

The Independent Trade Union of Police warned Tuesday that certain groups were planning to start riots during the Belgrade Pride Parade and called on the organizers to cancel the event, scheduled for October 2.

"We have information that certain groups are planning not only attacks for that day, but riots as well and calling the operation Belgrade in Flames," the Independent Trade Union of Police President Momčilo Vidojević told a news conference.

He did not specify the groups, but added there was information that riots would happen in all of Belgrade suburbs and other parts of Serbia.

Vidojević called on all police unions and the top Interior Ministry officials to come out with a joint stand on police involvement in securing the parade.

According to him, the Independent Trade Union of Police will refrain until Friday from calling on its members to go out or refuse to go out into the streets and provide security during the parade.

"The police can secure any event, but how many officers will end up with their heads smashed," he remarked.

"The police have protective gear for about 2,300 officers, and there were 6,000 at the last year's parade,“ the union president pointed out.

According to Vidojević, the police alone suffered EUR 1.5mn in damages during the last year's parade, with around 200 officers sustaining injuries.

The union also requested that Labor Minister Rasim Ljajic inspect police equipment and order the Interior Ministry, as the employer, to ensure that police officers have everything necessary for their work.