"You will get beaten": Counter-protest announced for Pride caravan in Vranje amid threats to local journalists

An upcoming Pride caravan event in Vranje, Serbia, scheduled for Saturday, July 18, has been overshadowed by threats of violence and the announcement of a counter-protest.

The "Da se zna!" (Let it be known!) association announced plans for Pride caravan protests in six smaller Serbian cities, including Vranje. Following this announcement, Slađan Ristić, a commissioner for the Alliance of Free Trade Unions of Serbia for southern Serbia, posted a threat on his Facebook profile directed at journalists from the "Slobodna reč" (Free Word) portal. He also announced a counter-demonstration for the same day, advocating for "family and traditional values."

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Listen, you who are writing this, and you who want pederasty, don't try it in Vranje, you will get beaten, I promise you that.

"Listen, you who are writing this, and you who want pederasty, don't try it in Vranje, you will get beaten, I promise you that," Ristić wrote to the "Slobodna reč" editorial office. He later explained to the "Vreme" portal that the comment was made in "affect" and that the counter-protest might not even happen, as he intends to be in Belgrade that day.

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If you understand me as a host, I wrote that comment in affect. No one has the right to endanger anyone's safety or to beat anyone. I simply do not support Prides.

Ristić stated that no one has the right to threaten anyone's safety or to beat anyone, adding, "I simply do not support Prides." He expressed a desire to walk with "other hosts and my grandchildren." He also mentioned his history of leading strikes for 35 years without causing incidents and asserted everyone's right to walk where they please. He indicated he would be in Belgrade and meeting with the president, casting doubt on the counter-protest's occurrence.

The Alliance of Free Trade Unions of Serbia for southern Serbia invited local institutions, cultural and educational bodies, unions, and patriotic political parties to support the "Family Walk" and emphasize the importance of family, tradition, and national identity. They also extended a special invitation to the Serbian Orthodox Church and its clergy. The threats against journalists have been condemned by the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS), ANEM, UNS, and other journalistic associations. The "Slobodna reč" editorial team stated that competent prosecution and security bodies are investigating the user behind the threatening Facebook profile.

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We determined that the two conspired to take the ice cream together when they were without money.