ITAR-TASS

Moscow, 24 April: The Moscow city authorities will not allow sexual minorities to hold unauthorized actions in the capital, which are scheduled for 1 and 2 May, the press service of the city mayor and government has said.

"Just like in the previous years, [the city authorities] will thwart attempts to hold such events in a decisive and uncompromising manner, because the absolute majority of [Russian] society does not accept gay people's lifestyle and their philosophy," the statement says.

"The fact, that gay people have chosen the holiday of Peace and Labour to hold unauthorized actions, causes surprise and indignation. On the days when a lot of manifestations will be taking place in Moscow, gay people want to deliberately bring discord and get in the way of the historical holiday. They are trying to impose their customs and principles on society," the press service said, adding that "the interests of everyone should be taken into account, so that there is peace and order in Moscow. And if it is necessary to use authority to achieve this, it will be done, and any unauthorized events in the capital will be thwarted in future as well".

UCSJ Note:A Moscow official added yet another justification to the city's ban--the fact that far-right groups had threatened to kill gays if they march. In other words, the same city government that routinely deals harshly and decisively with opposition protestors and gay rights activists is somehow helpless in the face of blatantly illegal threats and actions by extremist nationalists.

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