The protesters, chanting "Death to homosexuals!" hurled petrol bombs, bricks, stones, bottles and firecrackers at riot police.
Several parked cars were set on fire or damaged, shop windows were broken, rubbish bins overturned and street signs destroyed.
The state TV building and other political parties' headquarters were also attacked, with many of the windows shattered by stones. Local media reported that one man died as a result of his injuries.The rioters fired shots and hurled petrol bombs at the headquarters of the ruling pro-western Democratic party, setting the garage of the building on fire. Police said three people were shot at a party, during so-called "Pink Saturday" festivities preceding Sunday's activities. citizens enjoy liberty and justice, particularly gay, lesbian and transgender people.īut in San Francisco, violence shook the city's neighborhood perhaps most associated with gay pride, the Castro district. He said his reasoning was that not all U.S. The grand marshal of the parade was 10-year-old Will Phillips, who made headlines by refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at his school. It was small but attended by enthusiastic supporters, who were able to drown out the words coming from Christian counter-demonstrators. There were no incidents related to his presence, and some participants even stopped to engage him in what appeared to be friendly debate.Įven tiny Fayetteville, Arkansas, had a gay pride parade for the fourth year running. Festival organizers had tried to block his presence, but a federal court ruled that the man could not be banned from the park.Īnti-gay activist attends Twin Cities gay pride fest (KARE) The festival also included a man handing out Bibles and preaching against homosexuality.
On Sunday, participants wandered in a festival-type atmosphere that included tents for people to sell services and wares.
The gay pride parade in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is considered one of the biggest events in the state - last year's parade drew more than half a million people, according to CNN affiliate KARE. Parishioners did march, but obeyed an order from New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan that they should not carry a banner with the church's name. The atmosphere was festive and open, as marchers carried handmade signs with messages including, "Straight but not narrow-minded" and represented groups including the New York Gay Bloggers.īut there was no banner for St. Some dressed conservatively, others were decked out in glittering fabrics and some wore next to nothing at all. In New York, the parade featured participants of every age and many backgrounds. (CNN) - Gay pride was on display in towns and cities across the United States Sunday as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people - and their supporters - marched in parades large and small to demand equality, oppose discrimination and express pride in who they are. Shooting incident mars "Pink Saturday" festivities in San Francisco.Parishioners from New York church march but without banner.Marchers demand equality, oppose discrimination based on sexual identity.LGBT people and their supporters march in parades large and small.