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In its recording, the community first emphasizes that Kaunas Pride is a peaceful protest.
“The organizers will take responsibility if the appeals court is not in our favor. We have signed warnings on administrative liability for unauthorized protests and criminal liability for possible consequences,” said the organizers.
The activists are outraged that the Kaunas municipality is behaving, in their opinion, undemocratic, hampering the work of both the organizers and the police, who refused to coordinate the route, although the court ordered otherwise.
For all security reasons, participants are reminded not to wear face masks, to charge their phones, as they will need to read the manifesto, as well as be careful as the provocateur can “blend in” with the crowd. During the protest, a drone will fly to capture everything and the event will be guarded by volunteers.
We made the decision to march despite the decision of the municipality not to coordinate the route, although the court ordered it differently, because the municipality of Kaunas behaves in an undemocratic way, it hinders both us and the police to ensure a go smoothly and we are responsible for everything. possible alterations. The municipality must guarantee the right of assembly and security. Unpleasantly we refuse to do so, so we take care of security ourselves. We pay to suffer, we also pay and we take care of each other.
The organizers also provided participants with a list of things to keep in mind.
The police report that they are fully prepared to guarantee public order.
On Tuesday, Kaunas County police officers held a meeting with the organizers of the march, during which the organizers’ plans to carry out the march with and without official permission were discussed.
There were also other aspects that are important for the police, such as the number of participants, the route or the duration of the march, but due to tactical moments, we do not publish precise data.
In terms of the number of officers and our capabilities, we are fully prepared to ensure public order, so there will be as many officers as the situation requires at that time, “said Odeta Vaitkevičienė, Chief of the Communications Division of the Chief Commissariat of Kaunas County Police, told news portal tv3.lt.
Warned of impending liability
Kaunas police also warned the organizer of the march of impending responsibility.
Officials who attended the meeting officially warned the organizer of imminent responsibility if an unauthorized event takes place and permission is not obtained.
Liability for violations of the Assemblies Act is provided for in Article 494 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Lithuania. (Violation of the requirements for the organization of meetings and other events). A fine of up to 600 euros is foreseen for this, ”said O. Vaitkevičienė.
The news portal tv3.lt has already written that as the date of the LGBTQ community march approaches, calls to prevent this march have begun to spread in the public space.
The police report that they are gathering information on the distributors and organizers of these calls.
On social media, protesters against LGBTQ + marches are fighting to fight this community and on September 4 to oppose supporters of sexual minorities.
“The police monitor and assess all possible threats, prepare for various scenarios,” says O. Vaitkevičienė, spokesman for the Kaunas County LSC.
Does not hide the disappointment
Lithuanian Gay League President Vladimiras Simonko told news portal tv3.lt that he did not hide his disappointment at the Kaunas municipality’s ban on allowing the event.
“I can’t believe the 2010 march scenario is repeating itself. It’s kind of Already seen, when practically all the steps of the municipality are on time, which are completely unfavorable for the organizers of the march. This only shows that Kaunas is 11 years behind Vilnius, ”said V. Simonkas.
When asked if he supports Kaunas Pride activists who plan to hold marches, despite permission from the municipality, the project director of the Lithuanian Gay League doubts it.
“Lithuania has laws that must be respected, and if permission is not obtained in time, I personally, as an organizer of similar marches, would still question, or allow me to organize such a march illegally, but it is the decision of the organizers.” choice and I hope the court is in his favor, “he said.
V. Simonko announced that he will not be able to participate in the protest on September 4, because he will be in Barcelona at that time, where he will participate in other marches, but he strongly supports his colleagues and wishes them the best of success. and strength.
“I hope your nerves are strong because I remember my feelings in 2010. We received the permit the day before the march, in the afternoon, at 5 in the afternoon, when the march required 10 in the morning. in the morning. I do not wish this on anyone “, recalls V. Simonkas.
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