The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine says it was saddened by the violence that took place during the Kharkiv Pride event on Sept. 15, but appreciates the local police’s efforts.
“All individuals deserve to be treated with equality and respect. U.S. Embassy representatives attended the Kharkiv Pride event yesterday to show support for the event’s theme: ‘Kharkiv for All. Safety for All,'” the embassy said on Twitter on Sept. 16. “We were saddened by the violence that occurred during the event and appreciate the efforts of Ukrainian law enforcement to protect the fundamental freedoms of Pride participants.”
As reported, the Kharkiv Pride event was held on the city’s Freedom Square on Sept.15. Some 2,000 people reportedly took part in it. To ensure order, more than 2,500 law enforcement officers were involved.
Simultaneously with the Kharkiv Pride, there were several rallies for family values in Kharkiv. There were several clashes after the rallies in the center of the city. In particular, organizers of the rallies for family values who represent local nationalist organizations Freicorps and Tradytsiya i Poriadok (“Tradition and Order”) clashed with police on Rymarskaya Street.
During the conflict, tear gas was sprayed towards the police. Two law enforcement officers were injured. Seventeen people were taken to the police station after the incident.
In the evening, the police detained three participants in the conflict. They are facing charges under Part 2 of Article 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (threat or violence against a law enforcement official).
