To mark the opening day of competition at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, protesters in Brighton highlight the plight of LGBT people in Russia.
More than two hundred people turned out in deadful weather conditions this afternoon to support the To Russian with love demonstration at the Clock Tower on Queens Road.
The demonstration was organised by the Brighton and Hove Socialist Party to raise awareness of the increasing violence and oppression faced by gay, lesbian, bi, trans, queer and other people in Russia.
Members of Russian LGBT groups have been attempting to draw international attention to the violation of human rights and repression of freedom of speech in Russia, which has increased during the pre-Olympics period.
Every person who tried to wave a rainbow flag during the Olympic Torch Relay was immediately detained. Every person who tried to speak out about LGBTQ rights violation in Russia was stopped, while LGBTQ activists are being attacked, Russian police refuse to investigate cases of violence motivated by homophobia.
After reading a speech from Russian LGBT activist, Ksenia Zhivago, Beth Granter from the Brighton & Hove Socialist Party, said: “The Sochi Olympics puts the world spotlight on Russia and international protests are showing mass opposition to Putin’s homophobic government. The ‘Russian Section 28’ is fuelling a rising tide of violence. The laws must be challenged! Here in the UK we ask Olympic sponsors (Visa, McDonalds, Coca-Cola, ATOS and more) to break their silence and speak out about LGBT oppression in Russia.”
Following the speeches the protestors moved along Western Road to McDonald’s. McDonald’s, one of the main sponsors of the Winter Olympics in Sochi have refused to speak out about the persecution of LGBT people in Russia.
Cllr Phelim MacCafferty, deputy leader of Brighton & Hove City Council made an impromptu speech to the crowd and called for solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Russia. Cllr McCafferty’s Green party are responsible for removing the annual £25,000 grant to Brighton Pride putting at risk this years Pride Parade whose overall international theme is Freedom to live.
John Smith a local resident on finding the reason for the protest, said: “Never again will a Big Mac pass my lips.”
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