Moscow quashes Pride and protest
“We have gathered in a very symbolic place to pay tribute to a person who was gay himself and at the same time had to conceal it because of repressive laws and disapproval in society.”
Nikolai Alekseyev, a protest organizer, outside the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. About 20 protesters briefly unfurled a banner to protest the mayor of Moscow’s refusal to allow a Gay Pride Parade again this year. Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has reportedly called homosexuality “satanic.” It is said that a larger protest a City Hall did not happen because hundreds of riot police had gathered. Banners were hung from a nearby building instead and more than a dozen protesters are said to have been arrested. (International Herald Tribude)
“We are against the gay pride parade because we are Orthodox people, and Christ himself said the best way to deal with such people is to put a stone around their neck and throw them into the sea…. It was Jesus who said that.”
Dmitry Antonov, of the Orthodox Brotherhood. A small group of counterprotesters are said to have thrown eggs and garbage at the event. It is reported that last year’s gay pride protest resulted in a number of violent physical attacks on the gay group and supporters. (The Moscow Times)
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