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IOC OK With Arrest of Gay Rights Protesters in Russia

IOC OK With Arrest of Gay Rights Protesters in Russia

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The International Olympic Committee will not be bothered by the arrest of more than a dozen peaceful protesters in Moscow and St. Petersburg on Friday.

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The official Olympic organization says it will not take action after 14 activists were arrested for peacefully protesting on Friday in Russia's two largest cities.

Four activists were arrested in St. Petersburg for simply holding a banner that made no reference to "gay" or "LGBT." Their banner read, "Discrimination is incompatible with the Olympic movement." Ten people in Moscow's Red Square were also arrested when they sang the national anthem while holding rainbow flags. Some who were detained said they were punched, choked, kicked, and threatened with rape before being released.

"We understand that the protesters were quickly released," IOC's head of media relations told Buzzfeed. "As in many countries in the world, in Russia, you need permission before staging a protest. We understand this was the reason they were temporarily detained."

Throughout Russia, 61 protesters were arrested on Friday.

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Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.