Police in Peru used water cannons to
break up a protest against homophobia.
The annual “Kisses Against
Homophobia” protest took place Saturday, February 13 in Lima's
Plaza de Armas.
The protest involved over two dozen
people and was organized by LGBT rights groups Promsex and Chola
Contravisual.
Activists said that the police broke up
their peaceful demonstration by spraying water and kerosene at the
demonstrators from an armored police truck.
George Liendo, a spokesman for Promsex,
said that the police ban LGBT protests in the square, a popular site
for demonstrations.
“The aggression was excessive towards
the young people who gather each year in the main square to kiss
against homophobia,” Liendo
said. “They [the police] are obligated to protect the LGBTI
community, as it is a population that is particularly susceptible to
violence.”