Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Riga city councilors ask that Baltic Pride be banned

More than 30 Riga city councilors (Riga, population around 800 000, has 60 council seats, probably the largest number of any municipality in the world) have signed a letter asking that the committee that approved a planned May 16  Baltic Pride March rescind the permit.
The reasons: 1) it would cost too much in police resources and street closures in times of economic crisis 2) a public gathering of LGBT persons is a threat to the morals and virtue of the city.
Two prominent signers of the letter were councilwoman Helmi Stalte, a member of Latvia's Liv (Finno-Ugric speaking) minority, and Ludvigs Almers, a clergyman.


My video thoughts on this:

5 comments:

Sveilis said...

As you know my bags are packed, but am I being naive in your statements? I still keep hope that "they" can keep it together and fundamentally get it right..or do I watch the wrong news program.

Anonymous said...

Im sure cutting half the numbers of Riga councilors would free up enough money (in these times of crisis) to help many a minority to get there voice heard here. I am astounded at the number - 60 councilors!! - what actually is there job description? what do they do all day?? why so many?? and is it true that if I vote for a certain mayoral candidate and become a rail worker I will get an average of 800Ls/month?? Its true, it was written on a billboard and you know this certain bulldozer would never use this as some kind of bait and then not follow through with it when he inevitably gets elected........

Pēteris Cedriņš said...

Though I agree that this move by these Rīga city council members is reprehensible, I don't see why you keep using these "third world banana republic" types of comparisons, Juri. Anti-gay politics have been common in Eastern European capitals, for example in Warsaw. Poland isn't the third world, and neither is Latvia. Your hyperbole often detracts from your points.

Pēteris Cedriņš said...

P.S. Just a quick check re the size of the city council -- Stockholm has 101-seat municipal assembly (the population is similar to Rīga's).

Juris Kaža said...

Pēteri
OK. but Stockholm has representation by district, in Riga they elect the whole mob for the whole city??
I will use "primitive East European Bardakistan" instead... :)