Police allow masked anti-LGBT protest on Vilnius bridge

LRT reports that police allowed a group of masked young people to continue an anti-LGBT protest on a bridge over a busy Vilnius street after they showed officers a municipal permit. Local residents said the demonstration promoted hatred and distracted drivers.

The group, called “Tėvynės gynėjai” (“Defenders of the Homeland”), was seen at the weekend on a bridge over Tūkstantmečio Street in Vilkpėdė. Its members held a banner reading “Protest against LGBT ideology” and waved Lithuanian flags.

Lina, a Vilnius resident whose name was changed by LRT.lt, said she contacted police after seeing the banner because she believed it incited hatred. She was surprised when officers arrived but then quickly left while the protest continued.

“The wording seemed divisive to me. It also looked suspicious that the people holding the flags had covered their faces with scarves, ski masks and sunglasses,” the woman said.

She also criticised the protesters for waving at passing cars on the busy road, saying they distracted drivers who were honking at them.

“Tėvynės gynėjai” is an informal group that organises its activities through the anonymous messaging app Telegram. Many young men, often minors, have joined it. The group is known for displaying banners in public places against migration, says it is defending Lithuanian culture and white people, and shares similar ideas.

The Vilnius County Police Headquarters told LRT.lt that officers left after the young people showed them a municipal permit for the protest. Police therefore found no legal basis for holding the group responsible for the banner reading “Against LGBT ideology”.

Under the law, municipalities may restrict or refuse to approve assemblies and protests only in exceptional cases, such as when symbols of totalitarian regimes are displayed. There is also a requirement not to incite violations of the Constitution. Municipalities additionally coordinate matters such as safety and ensure that assemblies are not held too close to state institutions or critical facilities.

Vilnius municipality said it had been informed about a protest “for the natural family and the protection of children from negative information”, including the display of Lithuanian flags and banners.

“Police officers ensure compliance with legal requirements during assemblies,” municipal representatives said.

LRT.lt tried to contact Kęstutis Tamašauskas, who took part in earlier “Tėvynės gynėjai” protests and heads the public institution Patriotiški lietuviai. The article will be updated if he responds.

Monika Antanaitytė of the Lithuanian Gay League said the demonstration and its slogan opposing LGBT “ideology” were carefully planned.

“The organisers have enough information about the boundaries between freedom of expression and incitement to hatred, and are trying to conduct the action within those boundaries,” she said.

According to Antanaitytė, politicians could exploit hostility towards LGBT people as municipal elections approach next year, while the community is already feeling an increased sense of danger.

“The LGBT community cannot feel completely safe,” she said.

Antanaitytė also said there was a noticeable trend of young people becoming radicalised by joining movements directed against LGBT and foreign nationals. She said minors were likely being deliberately involved to avoid legal responsibility.