Prague - At least 20 people were injured when the Czech Republic's first ever Gay Pride parade was attacked by rightwing extremists armed with tear gas even before the event was due to begin in the city of Brno. Three people were arrested when counter-demonstrators threw fireworks at the gathering of lesbians and gays in which an estimated 500 were to participate.
As late as Wednesday, the authorities of the country's second largest city had rejected applications for a counterdemonstration by groups such as the "National Party" and the "National Resurrection."
With calls in the internet for resistance to the "queer parade," more than 200 police were present during the planned event.
Local news media reported the presence of 150 aggressive counter- demonstrators and hundreds of onlookers.
Among the supporters of the parade were Czech Minister of Human Rights and Minorities Dzamila Stehlikova and tennis legend Martina Navratilova.
Czech same-sex unions have enjoyed official recognition since 2006.
