Friendship Days/Riga Pride 2008
Here you will find various relevant materials, resources and visuals from this year's event in Riga.
Visual Resources on 2008 Friendship Days/Riga Pride
Hereafter some links to picture galleries and videos on this year's Friendship Days
Open letter from ILGA-Europe and others to Mayor and Minister of Interior
This letter from ILGA-Europe and other organisations and politicians was sent to the Mayor of Riga and the Minister of Interior of Latvia on 04.06.08
Sophie in't Veld, MEP writes to President Barroso after Riga Pride
Below is a text of a letter Sophie In't Veld, a member of the European parliament, wrote to Mr Barroso, the president of the European Commission, following her participation in the Riga Pride 2008.
Mozaika media release announcing co-operation with Amnesty International
It is the second year in the row that, upon an invitation from the Alliance of LGBT People and Their Friends “Mozaīka”, the Friendship Days in Riga, Latvia are attended by Amnesty International representatives and activists.Approximately 100 people from 24 countries, including from the CzechRepublic, Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova, Russian, Slovenia, Poland, and Slovakia, will attend the Friendship Days.
Mozaika media release on political debate “Diversity. An Unnecessary Good?”
Within the framework of this year’s Friendship Days, Alliance of LGBT People and their friends “Mozaika” in cooperation with politika.lv is organizing a public discussion for politicians with a theme that might be of special interest to business leaders, trade unions, and students of economics and political science, namely “ Diversity. An Unnecessary Good?”
Mozaika media release for Friendship Days "Different families, same love"
The theme of the Friendship Days from 30 May until 1 June 2008 is "Different families, same love".
Excerpt of President Zatlers' interview with Latvian press on LGBT issues
Article in Neatkarīgā Rīta Avīze on 30.05.08
Nationalists threaten with protest against Pride
Four nationalist organisations have warned that the homosexual Pride event on the 11th November Shoreline will “create not just peaceful protests within the framework of the law.”
Vice Mayor Ārgalis Declares Sexual Minorities Event to be Propaganda of Perversion
The deputy mayor of Rīga, Andris Ārgalis (People’s Party), believes that public propaganda of perversion must not be allowed, and that is why he does not support the planned sexual minority Pride event that is scheduled for this weekend on the 11th November Shoreline.
First Party calls locals to ignore Pride
The LPP/LC faction of the Rīga City Council calls upon the people and guests of Rīga to refuse to take part in the so-called sexual minorities march and to ignore it.
Latvian MPs' response to MEPs
A Response to Members of the European Parliament Opposing the gross interference of a homosexual group of European Parliament members into Latvia’s internal affairs by attacking Cardinal Jānis Pujāts
Open Letter to Cardinal Pujāts and priests from Roman Catholic congregations
Response from Metropolitan Community Churches to Cardinal Pujāts' statement on Pride march
Intergroup denounces Catholic clergy of Latvia for disrespect of law and Human Rights
Statement issued by LGBT Rights' Intergroup at European Parliament in reaction to statement by Cardinal Pujats
Statement of Cardinal Pujāts: Pride Marches in Latvia Should be Declared Unlawful
Friendship Days or Pride marches in Latvia must be seen as unlawful and impermissible, Cardinal Jānis Pujāts and priests from Roman Catholic congregations have said in an open letter to government officials.
Almers Ludviks, vice mayor of Riga thinks Riga Pride 2008 should not be allowed at the Embankment of 11 November
On 21 May 2008 Latvian media reports that Almers Ludviks, the vice mayor of Riga (First Party) said he thinks the LGBT march should not be allowed at the embankment and is morally harmful to Riga inhabitants. Here is a translation into English of one of the report.
Media release by Amnesty International
Europe: Lesbians and gay men march with pride to end prejudice
