Police Detain Dozens of Far-Right Protesters Before Kiev Pride

More than 150 members of a far-right group tried to block the route of Kiev Pride on Sunday morning. They failed.

Ukranian police in riot gear cleared the street of the protesters before the LGBT event began. Reuters reports that 56 demonstrators were detained. In a statement, Kiev police said several men had thrown gas canisters at law enforcement.

"Several men who resisted and used gas canisters against law enforcement officers were detained," the statement read.

The alt-right group C14 claimed police attacked its protesters with tear gas and batons. "Look at how they protect 'sexual minorities' and violate the rights of regular Kiev citizens," the group wrote on Facebook.

The Pride parade proceeded without incident.

Police presence at Kiev Pride has increased since 2015, when violent attacks descended on the march. Since then, Pride celebrations have been mostly tranquil. Ukraine is still wrestling with antigay attitudes.