One of the organisers of next weekend’s Gay Pride parade and a friend were attacked in Amsterdam on Wednesday night, the Telegraaf reports on Friday.

Hugo Braakhuis and his friend were saying goodbye on the city’s Rembrandtplein when a group of youths began shouting ‘cancer gay’ and other insults at them. Braakhuis’s friend objected to the taunting and was punched to the ground. Braakhuis was also hit, the paper said.
Four youths aged 19 to 21 have been arrested. One of the youths comes from Amsterdam, the others from out of town.
A spokesman for the city council described the incident as terrible and said acting mayor Carolien Gehrels has already been in touch with the victims. The council has made considerable efforts to reduce gay bashing, including installing cameras in popular gay nightlife areas, the spokesman said.
The traditional Gay Pride boat parade takes place on August 1.