May 28, 2011
By: Christine Nicco/TRT Reporter
Approximately 5 hours ago, Lt. Dan Choi was at Moscow Pride peacefully walking along with Chicago activist Any Thayer when suddenly the Russian Police and others swarmed him, beat him and arrested him. According to video reports from America Blog, the incident was unexpected. A photo of the arrest, by Reuter, shows the moment in which Lt. Choi was arrested, after the beating.
From the paddy wagon Lt. Choi is heard as stating that “we were just arrested for protesting on the ban on the LGBT Pride March and Demonstration in Moscow,” he said, his face showing signs of the beating. … “I personally have a slight injury to my right ear and massive ringing at this moment and the other protesters are speaking of equal rights and discriminations and skin-heads Neo-Nazis who punched us in the head [ineligible] and our dedication to the cause remains absolute.”
The Advocate reported that “according to British gay rights activist Peter Tatchell, the arrests took place between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Moscow time.”
Lt. Choi and the other foreign protesters were taken to Presnensky Police Station in Moscow after the attack, but were released. Other Russian protesters were not afforded the same rights and remained detained and some are being pressured to provide information about Moscow Gay Pride.
