Russian police chase away anti-gay crusader from Labor Day pride march

[Omaha Steve]

Source: RT

Police in St. Petersburg wouldn't allow controversial legislator Vitaly Milonov, best known for his anti-gay stance, to interfere with a gay pride march on May Day. He tried to stop the march on the grounds of a 'gay propaganda' law he himself sponsored.

An LGBT activists' column was part of Friday's massive rally, which marched along Nevsky Prospect, the city's main street. More than 90,000 people from all ranges of the political spectrum participated, from the ruling United Russia party to Communists and various small opposition groups.

Milonov along with a group of about a dozen of supporters tried to block the gay pride column, which was carrying rainbow flags and banners calling for tolerance, including one depiction of the politician himself.

He wanted to stop the activists, saying they were violating a controversial law he sponsored a few years ago, which bans propaganda of gay lifestyle to minors, and brought some minors among his supporters to make his case, the Fontanka newspaper reported.

FULL story AND video at link.



Gay pride march in St. Petersburg on May 1. (Ruptly video screenshot)


Read more: http://rt.com/news/255125-gay-pride-milonov-labor/

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Yes it is RT but seems to be a valid news story.

[marym625]

1. This is encouraging

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. Russian police side with gay marchers. I bet no one alerts on this RT story.

[MisterP]

3. it's not a reversal--but it's a BIG fault line in the system and a BIG thing for the police to do

[Comrade Grumpy]

4. Wow, 90,000 people march for gay rights in St. Petersburg and only RT covers it.

And the cops tell the bigots to get lost.

This is progress. Two years ago, the cops beat people up and arrested dozens.

[nomorenomore08]

9. To be exact, the 90,000 was for the May Day parade. The gay pride marchers were only one segment.

Still, the fact they were allowed to march along without incident, seems like a positive change by Russian standards.

[NuclearDem]

5. Good.

Maybe there's hope for Russia yet.

[joshcryer]

6. Does this make up for the 100 year ban in Moscow?

[Behind the Aegis]

7. No. But some will inevitably suck down the propaganda like it was Fox News.

I love that the article makes it seem it was a 90K pride march, when in fact it was a May Day march with a gay "component." Some people prefer red Kool-Aid flavor.

[joshcryer]

8. Putin has been appropriating May Day forever.

It's the one day of the year they let groups march, and it's generally composed of everyone, including right wing fascists and even real Nazi's.

This was last year:



https://twitter.com/anneapplebaum/status/461921775253979138

Can't find any from this year but I'd be surprised if they didn't show up.