Posted on 05/16/2009 11:56:08 AM PDT by Maelstorm
MOSCOW (AP) - Riot police violently broke up several gay rights demonstrations in Moscow on Saturday, hauling away scores of protesters hours before the Russian capital hosted a major international pop music competition.
City officials had warned they would not tolerate marches or rallies supporting the rights of gays and lesbians. Activists had targeted Moscow, which was holding the finals of the Eurovision song contest on Saturday, to press their claims that Russia officially sanctions homophobia.
Police seized gay rights protesters as well as some members of religious and nationalist groups that staged counter-demonstrations. They also took away gay rights activists for simply talking to reporters, and ripped the bra and shirt off one female protester.
Moscow police spokesman Anatoly Listovetsky said 40 people were detained, although media reports said up to 80 had been seized.
Among those detained were British activist Peter Tatchell and American activist Andy Thayer of Chicago, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Yeah but for me it has come down to one thing. It is us against them. They have proven they will not seek any compromise. They do not stop in the streets, they do not stop at the school room door. The whole movement is based on the lie of great oppression of what is a behavior that can and should be kept entirely private.
So rabble rousers from the US and Britain took part in Moscow? How long will it be until the whining begins...”But I’m not a russian, I’m an American! I have rights!”
I didn't see that part in the article but I suspect you are correct. Mea culpa.
Still, the reason why the permit was denied (if it was) seems illegitimate. City officials claim "(Gay pride events) not only destroy moral foundations of our society, but also purposefully provoke disturbances that will threaten the lives and safety of Moscow residents and guests."
So basically, the authorities are saying they won't allow the protest because they feel homosexuality is wrong, and because they are too inept to control the counter-protests. Again, IMO that's not something believers in a free republic should applaud.
These people have to realize that America is the only place where they’re free to do that sort of demonstration. Other countries are not so tolerant about having the fabric of their society torn from end to end.
When you bear bait, you get bit, and that Russky bear is nasty.
Time and again they demonstrate that their driving energy is hostility and aggression, not "love," as they sleazily imagine it. Their intention is to disrupt and deteriorate the culture--and the culture has a right to defend itself against such assaults.
Well, we don't approve, but we have no control over other governments either.
Are you willing to go to war with Russia over this? If not, there is nothing you can do about it. And don't mention diplomatic sanctions; they'll just laugh at you.
Of course not. I'm not suggesting that we do anything about it.
It just worries me to see fellow FReepers saying "Good" in response to this story. Or suggesting that we follow the Russians in dealing with our own gay parades. It seems like some conservatives are ready to throw their principles out the window whenever the subject of gays comes up.
Never thought I would applaud the Russian Police.
Where's the picture, could have been an imposture!!!
I know gays aren’t a popular group at this site, but is this really something we want to support? A government preventing peaceful protest because they disagree with the message presented?
Yes, yes it is.
First off, ITS NIOT THEIR FRIGGIN GOVERNMENT. They went to someone else’s home and are trying to tell them how to live.
Would you want the Taliban to come to your city and hold marches and try to force you and your government to accept their way of life?
I look at it two ways:
First, I'm really ****ing sick of the homos pushing their crap on everyone else.
Second, my give-a-damn is busted.
So the lefties are right after all - now and then we can learn something from other countries.
Do not make the mistake of equating the gay rights movement with the Women’s Suffrage movement or the Civil Rights movement.
Race and gender are things one is born with, whereas homosexuality is defined based on a person’s behavior. You cannot compare it to the other movements.
If you believe in creation they you believe men and women were formed to serve two distinct sexual purposes. If you believe in evolution then the millions of years of evolution produced two separate sexual beings. Therefore, in either case, to say homosexuality is “normal” is wrongheaded.
It may yet be proven it is “natural” (being born homosexual), and if that is the case, that means homosexuality is like being born with a heart defect: naturally occurring but hardly normal.
Just as some people are born predisposed to molest children. It may be "natural" per se, but it sure isn't normal, nor good for society.
These guys are delusional to think they can get away with this in Russia!
I’m glad to see this. The gulags really need an extreme makeover. They’re so drab and depressing. Maybe the homosexuals can spice up the jails with some snappy accessories and some accent walls, perhaps a few flowers....
I'm sure it wasn't all foreigners who were behind the protest.
And if a bunch of protesters came to my town and held a protest for some goofy idea, I wouldn't be bothered. If I didn't like their message I would either a). stay away, or b). peacefully counterprotest.
I would NOT go running to the government to protect me from their message.
And I for one am not afraid to say returning to the laws of the pre-1970's period when they were tolerated but stayed in the closet. Every American deserves the full protection of the law. But certain public behavior should be proscribed.
Furthermore, admitted homos should be legally barred from teaching in schools and adopting children. Don't even make me laugh about the military and marriage!!
We will not get everything we want but now is the time to push back hard. And just the act of pushing back hard will return our society to some balance.
When a major political figure can come out and attack those who attacked Miss CA., and not be made to shut up ( Sarah Palin ) the times they are a changing. Time for OFFENSE !!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.