Gay rights activists were arrested in St. Petersburg and Moscow on the day of the Sochi Winter Olympics opening ceremony. In Moscow, around 10 protestors who sang the Russian national anthem and waved rainbow flags in Red Square while the ceremony began were arrested (see the video below). Earlier in the day four people were taken into custody in St. Petersburg for taking photographs while holding a banner opposing discrimination during the Olympics. In a message posted to her Facebook account after the arrest, protestor Anastasia Smirnova thanked her supporters. "Can't write much as phones are not permitted, and they are now calling us to sign papers. Cosmic hugs to you from our police station! PS. Detention for a photo with a banner - isn't it an amazing way to celebrate the Opening of the Games?"
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 8th February 2014 - 9:29am