First gay right parade passes peacefully in Latvia

Fears that staging a gay pride parade in Latvian capital Riga would lead to unrest proved wide off the mark Saturday with police saying just three anti-gay protesters had been arrested for minor public order offenses such as attempts at throwing eggs.

Around 5,000 people -- including both paraders and protesters against the event -- turned out in the streets, police told AFP.

Gay rights groups from across Europe and beyond gathered in the central Vermanes park waving flags before completing a short lap of downtown Riga and returning for a party expected to last into the night.

A small number of protesters from religious groups and self-styled anti-globalists shouted as the parade moved off and waved homophobic banners but a heavy police presence ensured no trouble ensued.
Though critical of lukewarm backing for the Europride 2015 event by the Latvian government, Lucy Freeman of Amnesty International said she was satisfied with the situation on Saturday.

"It's a very significant thing for Latvia, a former Soviet state, to be hosting EuroPride for the first time. In future we hope to see more long-term commitment to equal rights but we're pleased the police have been working very closely with the organisers to ensure everything goes off smoothly," she told AFP.

Latvian independent MP Veiko Spolitis told AFP he was one of few local politicians present "to support tolerance in society".

"Latvia is more than ready for this," Spolitis said.