Anti-Roma Protests in major Bulgarian cities

Alert DateSeptember 26, 2011 Country: Bulgaria Address: Bulgaria General Type: Racist discourse Racism and discrimination phenomena: Anti-roma/zinghanophobia, Nationalism
Groups affected / Interested in: Roma & Travelers, Ethnic minorities Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Internet, Daily life Hate speech/Racist Discourse Medium: Internet, Public Discourse

Related Policy Responses

Related Case Studies

Victims Data
Victims Nationality/Ethnic Origin Bulgarian
Victims Gender N/A
Victims Age N/A
Victims Number N/A
Fatalities - deaths N/A
Perpetrators Data
Perpetrators Nationality/Ethnic Origin Bulgarian
Perpetrator Gender N/A
Perpetrator Age N/A
Perpetrators Number N/A
Extremist/Organised Group Violence Yes

A series of protests officially supporting the villagers of Katunitsa, but actually of anti-Roma character, were organised in many major Bulgarian cities between September 26 and October 2. The participants were mainly ultra-rightist minors, organized via Facebook. The protests, usually starting as peaceful rallies, excalated to single acts violence and provocations against the police forces guarding them. The rallies in Sofia gathered about 1,000 protesters. They were accompanied by a car with the rightist party ATAKA’s leader addressing them on a speaker. The protesters were dispersed by the police as they were throwing stones and chairs from the closest restaurants. A total of 27 people were arrested in Sofia on September 27.
On September 28, there are protests in the cities of Sofia, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Asenovgrad, Montana, Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Blagoevgrad, and Sliven.

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