Protesters throw stones at the members of the riot police in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. Police have used tear gas against dozens of rock-throwing opponents of a gay pride march in Montenegro. The violence occurred when the attackers tried to push through cordons of hundreds of police that were protecting Sunday’s march in the capital of Montenegro, a staunchly conservative Balkan country. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Police in Montenegro fired tear gas to repel anti-gay extremists who threw rocks and firebombs at officers protecting a gay pride march Sunday, officials said. About 60 people were injured.
The violence occurred when the attackers tried to push through hundreds of police to reach those taking part in the march in Podgorica, the capital of the staunchly conservative Balkan country. After the march, the gay rights demonstrators were evacuated to a safe location in police vehicles.
Police said about 20 of the injured during the clashes were officers, and the remaining 40 were from "hooligan groups." About 60 of around 1,500 extremists who took part in the riots were arrested, police said.
March organizer Danijel Kalezic said the police protection allowed about 150 gay activists to walk peacefully through the city.
"As of today, gay people are no longer invisible in Montenegro," Kalezic said. "From today, these streets are ours as well."
Such pride marches are seen as a test of Montenegro's commitment to human rights as it seeks to join the European Union. Gay rights opponents attacked a similar march in July in the coastal town of Budva.
A Montenegro police officer fires tear gas, during a gay pride march, in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. Police have used tear gas against dozens of rock-throwing opponents of a gay pride march in Montenegro. The violence occurred when the attackers tried to push through cordons of hundreds of police that were protecting Sunday’s march in the capital of Montenegro, a staunchly conservative Balkan country. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)
Montenegro police officers use their shields for cover during a gay pride march, in Podgorica, Montenegro, Oct. 20, 2013. Police have used tear gas against dozens of rock-throwing opponents of a gay pride march in Montenegro. The violence occurred when the attackers tried to push through cordons of hundreds of police that were protecting Sunday’s march in the capital of Montenegro, a staunchly conservative Balkan country. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Protesters throw stones at the members of the riot police in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. Police have used tear gas against dozens of rock-throwing opponents of a gay pride march in Montenegro. The violence occurred when the attackers tried to push through cordons of hundreds of police that were protecting Sunday’s march in the capital of Montenegro, a staunchly conservative Balkan country. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)
Montenegro police officers fire tear gas at protestors, during a gay pride march, in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. Police have used tear gas against dozens of rock-throwing opponents of a gay pride march in Montenegro. The violence occurred when the attackers tried to push through cordons of hundreds of police that were protecting Sunday’s march in the capital of Montenegro, a staunchly conservative Balkan country. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)
Members of the Montenegrian gay community march down a street in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. Police have used tear gas against dozens of rock-throwing opponents of a gay pride march in Montenegro. The violence occurred when the attackers tried to push through cordons of hundreds of police that were protecting Sunday’s march in the capital of Montenegro, a staunchly conservative Balkan country. Banner at centre reads 'Montenegro Pride Proudly' (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Members of the Montenegrian gay community march down a street in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. Police have used tear gas against dozens of rock-throwing opponents of a gay pride march in Montenegro. The violence occurred when the attackers tried to push through cordons of hundreds of police that were protecting Sunday’s march in the capital of Montenegro, a staunchly conservative Balkan country. Banner at centre reads 'Montenegro Pride Proudly.' (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Montenegro riot police officers detain a man in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. Police have used tear gas against dozens of rock-throwing opponents of a gay pride march in Montenegro. The violence occurred when the attackers tried to push through cordons of hundreds of police that were protecting Sunday’s march in the capital of Montenegro, a staunchly conservative Balkan country. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
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