Slovakia, Bratislava - Around a hundred of protesters against the parade Rainbow Pride gathered in Hviezdoslavovo Square on Saturday, including dozens of supporters of the People's Party - Our Slovakia, a political party led by former leaders of extremist movement Slovenska Pospolitost (Slovak Togetherness).

Several attempts to disrupt the Rainbow Pride were seen on the square, such as throwing tear-gas cans, rocks and eggs, some of which resulted in clashes with the police. Eight persons were apprehended by the police as they are suspected of committing unlawful acts.

One of the organizers of the first-ever LGBT parade in Slovakia, Peter Weisenbacher, said they were disappointed by the fact that the police failed to prepare for the event with improved security measures. According to him, the streets through which the parade was announced to be moving, were not sufficiently covered by the police, allowing aggressive protesters from radical groups to gather along the route that participants of the parade were to take. Weisenbacher added that organizers will therefore have to find another way to march, as the event is scheduled to move across the Danube, to Bratislava's borough of Petrzalka where an "afterparty" is set to take place on Saturday night.

Regional Police Directorate in Bratislava informed that more than 200 policemen were sent to secure smooth running of the Rainbow Pride.

Rainbow Pride Bratislava 2010 is an event promoted by organizers as being not only meant for gay and lesbians, but to all people who identify themselves with the ideas of 'human rights for everyone' and the values of an open society. One of its objectives is to draw attention to the lack of legislation in Slovakia in this sphere.

(SK Today, TASR)