05/18/2009
Dozens Arrested at Gay Rights Demonstration in Moscow
A gay rights demonstration in Moscow on Saturday to coincide with the Eurovision Song Contest finals was broken up by police who arrested between 20 and 40 people.
The L.A. Times reports: "Shortly after noon, about a dozen activists stood on a nearby lawn of
thick grass and blossoming lilac bushes and began to shout slogans. 'Homophobia
is a shame!' they chanted. The demonstration lasted for about a minute
before the police set upon them from all sides, clambering through the
shrubs and knocking news cameramen out of the way to seize the
demonstrators, pin their arms behind their backs and drag them off into
waiting buses and patrol wagons. They knew it would be a
struggle. The city government has repeatedly denied their permit
requests. Police in the past have stood aside while ultranationalist
skinheads beat gay activists bloody -- then arrested the activists, not
the skinheads. (Skinheads, unlike gays, have been permitted to march in
Moscow.) This year, the government seemed particularly incensed.
Eurovision should have been a proud moment for the Russian authorities,
a lighthearted celebration badly needed after bitter conflict with
Europe over the war in Georgia and natural gas shut-offs."
A second wave of demonstrators arrived shortly after the first group was arrested. They too, were hauled away by police.
Among those arrested were British activist Peter Tatchell of the group Outrage, Russian activist Nikolai Alexeyev, and Chicago-based activist Andy Thayer of the gay liberation network.
Chicago-based activist Andy Thayer reports on the experience of his arrest and offers an update on the situation:
"Around mid-day today, Moscow Time, all
of our people were finally released. Holding him and other key
activists well past the mandated three hour time limit, the Russian
authorities are trying to make an example of Moscow Pride’s foremost
organizer, Nikolai Alekseev, by slapping multiple charges on him beyond
the traditional “demonstrating without a permit” violation. Even though he is finally released
following a hearing this morning, Alekseev’s attorney Dmitri Bartenev
told me that the exact nature of the charges against Alekseev aren’t
clear, except that since he has been released, he cannot now be
sentenced to jail time. Bartenev and the public were barred from this
morning’s hearing. Alekseev faces trial on May 26. Despite the violent attack by OMOH
cops, the Russian equivalent of SWAT police, fortunately no one was
seriously injured. Also, after some initial very worrying reports about
threats to deport our Belorussian friends, who might in turn face
incarceration by their country’s dictatorial regime, we’re happy to
report that they have been released."
Here's CNN's report. And AfterElton wonders if out comedian and Eurovision Song Contest host Graham Norton, should have made more of the arrests than the single statement he made, during the show, without further explanation: "Heavy-handed policing has really marred what has been a fantastic Eurovision."
Seven videos regarding the arrest, including interviews with Peter Tatchell and Andy Thayer, AFTER THE JUMP....
Gay Activists in Moscow Thwarted [la times]
VIDEOS, AFTER THE JUMP...
Police break up the gay rights protest while allowing a counter demonstration to go on as planned:
Raw video from Sky News:
Four videos from Gays Without Borders. In the first Peter Tatchell speaks, in the second, Andy Thayer speaks. The other two are foreign news reports:
Posted 9:07 AM EST by Andy Towle in Activism, Andy Thayer, Gay Rights, Graham Norton, Moscow, News, Nikolai Alexeyev, Peter Tatchell, Russia | Permalink
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Although everyone who attended this demonstration was incredibly brave, I just wanted to post to say how glad I am we have someone like Peter Tatchell on our side. He seems to travel all over the world for events like this, has been arrested countless times for it, but he has never given up the fight.
Posted by: Chris | May 18, 2009 10:58:44 AM
What the F is wrong with Russia?
Posted by: KFLO | May 18, 2009 11:07:53 AM
Russia is one sad, sad place right now. Everyone I know (straight) that goes there hates it.
Posted by: zeddy | May 18, 2009 1:46:23 PM
God I miss the Soviet Union...
Posted by: blokrway | May 18, 2009 11:51:13 PM
Well, Well, Well...where are all of the "Blacks are the only HOMOPHOBIC people" at now?
Hardly anyone has posted on this awful situation.
Oh I forgot they're only concerned and get upset with "BLACK" Homophobia.
UGH!
Posted by: Chris_Yes that one | May 19, 2009 7:06:07 AM