30 Oct Gay Rights Protesters Try To Disrupt Olympic Celebration
A Times Square event celebrating the 100-day countdown to the Winter Olympics in Sochi was protested Tuesday by roughly 2 dozen gay rights activists.
The demonstrators yelled, “Homophobia’s gotta go,” and unfurled banners which read, “Don’t Buy Putin’s Lies.”
The protesters rallied from a nearby sidewalk as athletes began to speak at the U.S. Olympic Committee’s (USOC) event.
Legislation signed into law by President Vladimir Putin in June prohibiting the promotion of “gay propaganda” in public has provoked worldwide condemnation and calls for boycotts against Russian-made exports and international events taking place in Russia, including the Sochi Games.
Duncan Osbourne, a member of Queer Nation NY, was quoted by USA Today as saying that the law is a “violation of human rights.”
Osbourne said that the demonstration, which lasted 30 minutes, was hastily organized after the group learned about the USOC event.
On Monday, Putin pledged to make gay athletes and guests attending the Sochi Games “feel comfortable.”
Source: ontopmag.com