Thousands of homosexuals marched through the streets of Prague Saturday, part of the first event of its type in the Czech capital.

The march was marked by a heavy police presence. The march had come under heavy criticism from top government officials, including Czech President Vaclav Klaus, as well as the Catholic Church.

The march is part of a festival that began Wednesday.

A similar march three years ago in the Czech Republic's second largest city, Brno, was marred by violence. Police arrested three people after right wing extremists attempted to disrupt a parade there.