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“I think we are talking about the right to self-expression in a democratic state, to express our beliefs freely, to defend our values. No matter who does what marches or parades, the LGBT community marches with great success in Vilnius. (…) Exactly the same is now probably the first march of the so-called traditional families or people with different attitudes, thoughts and values. I don’t see anything wrong with that, “said Saulius Skvernelis, leader of the opposition of the green peasant group in the Seimas, on the program” Delfi Tema “.
At the same time, he admitted that he saw various risks associated with the massive event in the current period.
“First of all, there is quarantine and a pandemic. I really believe that the massive event poses some threats. But from what I have seen, the organizers invite you to unconditionally comply with all quarantine requirements,” said S. Skvernelis.
At the same time, the politician noted that the organizers call it a non-political event.
“As a result, politicians are not invited to participate. Whoever wants to can go, but (at least so stated) there will be no political languages, no attributes of political parties, no flags.
We invite you to discuss and speak at that event without spreading hatred, violence, homophobia. People really have that right to meet. This is a mature matter. It may have been discussed before, but perhaps the atmosphere is warm enough right now. People will attend. I really agree with that: you can and should participate, but everyone will evaluate your chances first from an epidemiological point of view, “said S. Skvernelis.
He also expressed his hope that the organizers of the event would distance themselves from politicking.
“All the time, various radicals and fringes with political interests are trying to join the organizers, but it is already up to the organizers to decide how they will dissociate, whether the event will be civilized, positive,” said S. Skvernelis.
He remembered the first parade of the LGBT community in Vilnius
Ramūnas Karbauskis, President of the Lithuanian Peasant Green Union, has announced that his party will participate in this event. S. Skvernelis, who belongs to the faction of this party in the Seimas, clarified that this does not mean that the party also assumes political responsibility, that there will be no incidents in it.
“It is just a saying that the values that are expressed are acceptable. And we talked in the group that whoever wants to participate can participate, whoever wants not to participate. There is nothing that we should necessarily support or not support. This is a free choice for party and faction members.
As for what we discuss with our colleagues, we will behave differently, some will join in the regions, others may try to go in Vilnius as well. Others will not participate at all. Many fear possible outbreaks of radicalism. This is the first event of this scale, let’s see, “said S. Skvernelis.
He himself recalled the first Baltic pride parade in Vilnius.
“I still have to be a police officer and guarantee the unconditional right of these people to express their opinions freely. It was very difficult because there were many opponents who tried to use violence, but the police took care of it. It’s probably been about nine years, maybe less, and there were probably no cops at the last event.
I think that in a democratic country we have to express our opinion – demonstrations, marches, rallies, pickets – this is normal, “said S. Skvernelis.
Support Christian values
S. Skvernel explained that his party supports the traditional marriage of two opposite sexes.
“It just came to our attention then. This is defined in our Constitution, in our laws and in our Civil Code. It is a traditional marriage between two people of the opposite sex. There are many people involved and we talk where Christian values, centuries-old traditions are professed. These are the main postulates that focus on how we live, what we confess, what traditions our ancestors and parents nurtured ”, said the politician.
According to him, the yai is not directed against people who think differently, live differently, who also have that right.
“Clearly, the organizers express a very strong opinion on sensitive issues related to the Istanbul Convention and the Association. But, as I mentioned, this is the opinion, and people really have the right to express that opinion freely,” said S. Skvernelis .
Agreed that people are free to choose
Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius, a member of the Freedom Faction in the Seimas, also hoped that the event would pass peacefully.
I also appreciate that event as the right of the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania to vote in peaceful assemblies. I hope the event goes off in a peaceful way. And if there is hate speech during that event, you are encouraged to deal with someone physically, I have no doubt that the law enforcement authorities will take on certain duties and actions as assigned by the law, ”TV Raskevičius said.
He heard nothing about the LGBT community organizing counter-protests at the same time.
“Since I am closely related to the LGBT community in Lithuania, I am also a member of various groups on social media, I don’t really see any organized initiative from the community to participate and oppose the event,” TV Raskevičius said.
He pointed to a recent increase in general hostility towards the LGBT community.
“I would just like to point out that in the last few months we have had a lot of discussions in the public sphere in general, which are related to hostility towards members of the LGBT community. People in my community in Lithuania are currently intimidated, because for a long time we have experienced an avalanche of hostility and hatred.
We try to support each other and emotionally, but these debates, which take place in the public space, are very necessary in a democratic society. This is perhaps the kind of price that we as a community pay today for those changes that have been needed for a long time, ”said VT Raskevičius.
Believe that different concepts of family do not endanger each other
The politician did not point out that perhaps they and S. Skvernel have a different vision of what a family is.
“It just came to our knowledge then. My esteemed opposition leader Saulius Skvernelis and I are colleagues, members of the Seimas, we work in commissions and committees. We, as human beings, may have a slightly different concept of family. One is for me one family, the other is for Saúl. But the concepts of our family do not contradict each other in any way. They can coexist, they do not endanger each other, “said VT Raskevičius.
In his opinion, the purpose of politicians is different.
“It seems to me that the main goal of the legislator is to regulate the various social relations that exist in society. That is why today we are talking about the Law of Associations, because it would meet the needs of many people who live in Lithuania and lead a life in common, ”said VT Raskevičius.
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