Two European parliamentarians were among those who tried to hold a rally in central Moscow while orthodox Christians and nationalists punched and kicked the demonstrators.
Photo: Vasily Shaposhnikov
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Dozens Detained in Attempted Gay Rights Rally in Moscow
Russian police have detained dozens of gay rights activists as they tried to hold a rally in central Moscow. Orthodox Christians and nationalists punched and kicked the demonstrators, shouting "death to homosexuals".
Some 100 demonstrators appeared in downtown Moscow to present a letter signed by European lawmakers to the office of Moscow’s mayor, appealing the city’s ban on a proposed gay rights march. Police quickly grabbed about a dozen demonstrators and forced them into a bus, including Russian gay rights movement leader Nikolay Alexeev.
Many of the demonstration opponents carried icons or other insignia of the Russian Orthodox Church. Orthodox believers and nationalists shouted "death to homosexuals", punching and kicking the demonstrators.
German Green Party politician and gay rights campaigner Volker Beck was hit in the face with eggs before being detained by riot police. Mr Beck was later released.
Marco Cappato, a European Parliament deputy from Italy, was kicked by one as he spoke to journalists. “Where are the police?” Mr. Cappotto began shouting, and officers hauled him away. “Why don’t you protect us?”
"It is very conspicuous when people are arrested in front of the Mayor's office when they were doing nothing other than trying to present a peaceful petition,” says Human Rights Watch activist Scott Long, who observed the events.
Duma deputy Alexey Mitrofanov from the right-wing Liberal Democratic Party and Russian pop group Tatu briefly appeared the demonstration, but quickly left, pelted with eggs.
31 gay rights activists and 4 attackers were detained.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of May 28, 2007
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