Video: Couple disrupt neo-Nazi rally with a kiss
A picture of two men interrupting a Spanish neo-Nazi rally by kissing, went viral.
David Fernandez and his date, Gregor Eistert, posted a picture to Twitter on Saturday, after a march in Madrid by Hagar Social Madrid – a far right group.
The rally had been organised by the group to protest the number of migrants entering Europe.
The pair hadn’t planned to take part in the counter protest and were looking for somewhere to go for a drink. But, when neo-Nazis called them “faggots”, “queers” and “AIDS patients”, they decided to make a stand.
El Español spoke with the couple who described the act as “completely spontaneous” and “the result of rage”.
Mr Fernández said: “We forgot that the protest was to be held on Saturday until we found a heavy police deployment.”
The pair had been holding hands as they looked for somewhere to have a drink in Plaza Mayor, when people from the march started shouting homophobic abuse at them.
“I was filled with rage when I heard what they said,” added Mr Fernández.
“So, I took Gregor and began to kiss him. It was great. I then remember hearing screams and insults about being gay.”
As is seen in the video, the kiss is stopped by a policeman. Mr Fernández said he approached them and told them “that was enough”.
Members of the far right group then surrounded the couple and eyewitnesses claim this was when a riot broke out.
Since Saturday, the photo and video of what happened has been shared thousands of times on social media.
On Twitter, one user said: “Beautiful and epic moment of the kiss of David and Gregor against Nazi demonstration on Saturday in Madrid.”
Another said, “ETERNAL love for David and Gregor. Thank you for being so brave and so precious! <3.”
In July, last year, a couple were attacked in Kiev, Ukraine, when the walked down the street holding hands.
Far right groups have been growing in popularity across Europe in recent years. Poor economic recovery, coupled with increasing worry over the refugee crisis has been blamed.
In Austria, the leader of the far right, Freedom Party, lost out on becoming President by only 0.2% of the vote. The closest any candidate has ever got to being elected to a major office.
