Gay bar attacked on the sidelines of Morocco’s World Cup victory

The Backstage bar, one of the popular places for the gay community in Perpignan, was attacked on the sidelines of the demonstrations after Morocco’s victory in the quarter-finals of the World Cup against Portugal. “Thirty young people […] literally besieged the bar at the start of service for almost a quarter of an hour, banging on the door, throwing firecrackers at it, climbing on the bar cart, explain Alain and Enzo, the two managers of the establishment which opens at 8 p.m. Then, seeing that we did not open the door, breaking the windshield and a mirror of it. »

The attackers set fire to the car parked in front of the establishment. The fire spread to two vehicles parked nearby. ” For years, […] we are regularly subjected to homophobic acts, explain the managers. During Ramadan this year, [ils] took on a much larger scale with throwing stones when you open the door, TVs, furniture… everything they could find in the surrounding garbage cans. »

“A homophobic act” for the Perpignan prosecutor’s office

The Lgbt+66 Center has announced its intention to file a civil action. “It seems established that this is a homophobic act”, explains the association, confirming the remarks, the day before, of the parquet floor of Perpignan to France Bleu Roussillon. Six minors, aged 16 to 18, were arrested near the bar. The investigation did not establish their possible responsibilities and they were released. The investigation is continuing. Video surveillance images will be studied in particular.

The association and the co-managers were received on Tuesday by the prefect of Pyrénées-Orientales, the public prosecutor of Perpignan and the departmental director of the National Police. “During the meeting, several concrete deterrence and protection measures were taken, in order to ensure the safety of the premises and the tranquility of the people who frequent LGBT establishments in Perpignan, and in particular the Backstage, continues the association. Particular attention will be paid during the upcoming matches of the FIFA World Cup. The managers of the bar, very worried, demand police protection.

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