Russian police arrest 25 gay rights activists at unsanctioned Pride rally in St Petersburg
‘My mum loves me, my dad loves me, my friends love me, why can not you?,' says activist
![Three policemen were seen carrying one man who looked despondent but still held his multicoloured banner aloft above his head](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2018/08/04/15/lgbt-st-petersburg.jpg)
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
Russian police detained around 25 gay rights activists who took part in an unsanctioned rally in St Petersburg.
A few dozen activists gathered at Palace Square on Saturday afternoon in defiance of a ban on holding the rally.
Organisers had said they would stage one-man protests to demand freedom of association after city authorities turned down their request to hold a parade.
One man was pictured in front of the Alexander Column holding a placard featuring a rainbow which read: “My mum loves me, my dad loves me, my friends love me, why can not you?”
Police detained campaigners who unfurled rainbow flags or held placards and dragged them into a police bus.
![Police bundle an LGBT+ demonstrator onto a bus](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2018/08/04/15/lgbt-st-petersburg2.jpg)
Three policemen were seen carrying one man who looked despondent but still held his multicoloured banner aloft above his head.
There were no clashes between police and the activists.
The gathering coincided with Pride celebrations and marches around the world, most notably in Brighton where up to 300,000 people are expected to attend.
Russia passed a law in 2013 banning the spreading of gay “propaganda”.
Last month, Russian police briefly detained British LGBT+ campaigner Peter Tatchell after he protested near the Kremlin in support of gay rights.
Reuters contributed to this report
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments