Veterans: artists who denigrate the Homeland War are not welcome in Benkovac

The protest came in response to the “Nosi se” festival that was to have included artists known for their provocations and antagonistic stance towards Croatian independence, the Homeland War and veterans.

Despite the cancellation of the "Nosi se" festival in Benkovac, around two hundred veterans from Benkovac staged a peaceful protested in the city center on Monday night. They insisted that artists who belittle the Homeland War are not welcome in Benkovac. The President of the Association of Homeland War Volunteers of the City of Benkovac, Nediljko Genda: "I not talking about their performances, what they do does not concern me. I didn't follow them before, and I won't now or in the future. However, what is in question is certain controversial people who, for example, in one of their films a female pulls the Croatian flag out of her genitalia and mocks the Croatian state that was created on the basis of us here tonight, Croatian veterans."

For Homeland War veteran Željko Pešut the purpose of the protest was very clear: "We are defending the Homeland War and putting an end to the persecution of Croatian veterans."

Fellow Homeland War veteran Ante Maksan rejected any attempt to equate victim and aggressor: "The Croatian Constitution clearly states the defensive Homeland War is the foundation of this country. We hold to that, and no one can take us veterans, who defended Croatia, and try to portray us as aggressors. Never."

Source: HRT