01.08 Gay Rights Activists Dump Vodka Outside Russian Consulate in NY
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NEW YORK, July 31 (By Dan Elias for RIA Novosti) - Vodka was flowing outside the Russian Consulate in New York City Wednesday not into glasses, but onto the street. Dozens of gay rights activists cheered as bottles were dumped directly opposite the consulate building in the latest protest against Russias new laws on homosexuality, which critics say are part of a broader crackdown on Russias gay community.
The protest was organized by RUSA LGBT, an American gay rights group for Russian speakers, and Queer Nation, a New York-based organization that fights homophobia and anti-gay violence.
Weve received an appeal from 23 lesbian and gay activists in Russia that have asked us to do exactly what were doing, Queer Nation co-founder Alan Klein said outside the consulate. Boycott Russian products, boycott the Olympics and keep the pressure up. The 2014 Olympic Winter Games are to be held in Sochi, Russia.
The protesters are also calling for the corporate sponsors of the Sochi Games, including Coca-Cola, Visa, McDonalds, Procter & Gamble, and Samsung to pull their backing.
