MOSCOW — Police broke up several gay rights demonstrations in Moscow on Saturday, hauling away scores of protesters hours before the capital hosted a major international pop music competition.
Activists had targeted Moscow, which was holding the finals of the Eurovision song contest, hoping to use the event’s global popularity to draw attention to their claims that Russia officially sanctions homophobia.
Led by Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov who describes homosexuality as "satanic,” city officials had warned they would not tolerate marches or rallies supporting the rights of gays and lesbians.
Among those detained were British activist Peter Tatchell and American activist Andy Thayer of Chicago, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network.
"This shows the Russian people are not free!” Tatchell yelled as he was being dragged to a police car. He was released a short time later.
by the associated press
Activists had targeted Moscow, which was holding the finals of the Eurovision song contest, hoping to use the event’s global popularity to draw attention to their claims that Russia officially sanctions homophobia.
Led by Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov who describes homosexuality as "satanic,” city officials had warned they would not tolerate marches or rallies supporting the rights of gays and lesbians.
Among those detained were British activist Peter Tatchell and American activist Andy Thayer of Chicago, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network.
"This shows the Russian people are not free!” Tatchell yelled as he was being dragged to a police car. He was released a short time later.
by the associated press
No comments:
Post a Comment