Brody's Notes... U. S. State Department Condemns Russian Actions At Moscow Gay Pride

Nikolai Alekseyev , president of Gay Russia
photo courtesy of Gay Russia

By Mark Singer | WASHINGTON D. C. -- In a statement released by deputy State Department spokesperson Mark Toner, the United States condemned the actions of Russian Interior Ministry officials and troops working in concert with Moscow Militia [ police ] officers on Saturday, who forcibly and violently broke up an unauthorized Gay Pride protest in the Russian Capital. Mr. Toner said in part:

We note with concern that in Moscow on Saturday, May 28, a peaceable demonstration of Russians advocating for the rights of gays and lesbians, joined by international supporters, was forcefully disrupted by counter-protesters, and that Russian security forces then detained people from both groups, including American citizens. Some protestors were seriously injured according to media reports.

Freedom of assembly is a fundamental right all members of the OSCE committed to, including in the Moscow declaration and as recently as the Astana summit. As nationwide legislative elections approach, constraints on the ability of Russian citizens peacefully to gather and express their views will be closely watched in evaluating the integrity of the electoral process. We call on Russian authorities to work with municipal officials to find better ways to safeguard these fundamental freedoms.

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