Thousands march for gay rights in Poland, Croatia

WARSAW — Several thousand people have marched in colorful gay pride events in Poland and Croatia urging support for minority rights amid mounting right-wing sentiments in the two staunchly Catholic nations.

Balloons and flags in rainbow colors marked both the Equality March in the Polish capital of Warsaw and Zagreb's Gay Pride event.

In Zagreb, former interior minister Ranko Ostojic and several well-known public figures joined the event dubbed "Croatia is Not Over Yet." Ostojic says "I am glad to be here today, this is my Croatia."

Liberals have warned that Croatia has been tilting to the right under a conservative government that took over in January. Similarly in Poland, there are concerns for minority rights under a right-wing government that took office in November.

Police secured both marches.