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The request for conduct of the so-called Equality March filed by the organizers of the queer culture festival titled Odessa Pride-2015 was denied by Odessa city council, according to Risu.org.ua.

The Department of Information and PR of Odessa City Council reported that this response was sent to Head of the Festival’s Organizing Committee Hanna Leonova by the internal policy Department of the City Council, TSN reports.

Odessa District Administrative Court also banned a march in Odessa. According to Interfax-Ukraine, the court ruling was adopted to uphold the claim Odessa City Council, Hronika.info reports.

On August 12, 2015, the Executive Committee of Odessa City Council filed a suit with Odessa District Administrative Court against the Head of Odessa Pride 2015 Organizing Committee. Odessa City Department of the Main Directorate of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine in Odessa region also sided with the city council.

The plaintiff asked the court to restrict the right of the Head of Odessa Pride 2015 Organizing Committee to peaceful assembly by prohibiting conduct of mass public eventsin the period of August 13 to 16, 2015, including the meetings, rallies, pickets, demonstrations, marches and any other peaceful gatherings on the streets of Odessa.

Among the arguments the city council produced in its favor, was that in the city there are negative attitudes in society with respect to future events, and there is a high likelihood of violence against marchers violation of public order during the event.
In addition, the court paid due regard to football matches to be held on August 14 and 16.

Meanwhile, the day before the event organizers said that they still intend to walk along the streets of Odessa despite the opposition of the city council and threats. “If we get a formal court ruling to ban the event, we will file an appeal. If we will be prohibited to hold the demonstration on particular streets - do not worry: Odessa is large. We will not give up. Definitely, the festival will take place!” said one of the organizers of Odessa Pride 2015 Alina Rakhuba.