Even with the ban from local authorities, the organizers decided to hold the Moscow Gay Parade last Saturday (28). The small group of activists, made up mostly of young people, shouted "Russia without homophobia" through the city's streets.
Shortly after the demonstration began, the protesters were violently repressed. First, the activists came under attack from orthodox fundamentalists. "We came here to prevent this event from happening," said Leonid Simonovich-Nikshich, one of the group's members. One of them even tore up a photo of singer Elton John. They were then targeted by neo-Nazis. And finally, the police themselves ended up acting violently against the protesters.
According to the information, 18 activists were arrested by the police. In a video it is possible to see the moment in which American activist Don Choi, a veteran of the country's Army, is attacked by police while walking with signs in front of the Kremlin.
He and other foreign protesters were released the same day, but the Russian activists had to spend the night in detention. The police threatened to detain them for 48 hours if they did not hand over information about the Parade.
Another 14 people, including Orthodox and neo-Nazis, were also arrested. Below, you can watch the moment of the activists' arrest.
