Police Detain Activists at Russian Rally

Six gay activists have been detained in St. Petersburg, Russia, for holding an unsanctioned rally, according to the Associated Press. The protesters, carrying large banners, chanted "homophobia [is the] shame of the country," and "marriage rights without compromise."

The rally was not announced publicly or approved by the government in advance. It took place in a courtyard of the Hermitage Garden Museum, one of the world's oldest museums, which was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great.

"This is outrageous that police stopped us and they didn't give us a chance to speak about the violation of our rights," Russian gay rights leader Nikolai Alexeyev told the Associated Press after the rally.