Look: Gay Activists Protest Russia Day At New York Stock Exchange

If Russian investors thought “Russia Day” in New York would be a walk in the park, they were wrong.

Gay activists today protested “Russia Day,” traveling around around New York City, and ending up at the New York Stock Exchange (above), where a Russian Minister was to ring the closing bell.

First, gay activists this morning showed up at Russia Forum New York to protest U.S. companies investing in Russia. The Forum was held to try to entice U.S. corporations to invest in Russia — a tough task given the negative press caused by Vladimir Putin’s war on gays. Putin has created a hostile environment for the LGBT community in Russia, which has been highlighted by the world’s attention to the upcoming Sochi Olympics.

“Support Russian gays, don’t invest in Russia,” Queer Nation members chanted, while holding a long rainbow banner, in front of the Kosciuszko Foundation.

Queer Nation also reports that Russia Forum New York’s original sponsor “evicted” the investment meeting, telling American Lawyer that the “Russian government’s anti-gay policies” were behind their decision.

The @RussiaForumNY organizers called *911* cops said. Apparently, it was a #GayEmergency! #LGBT #Russia #NYSE pic.twitter.com/QiYrF9FW3a

— Queer Nation NY (@QueerNationNY) November 18, 2013

Then, Queer Nation this afternoon protested a Russian Deputy Minister ringing the bell at the closing of the New York Stock Exchange.

 

The activists chanted, “Human Rights Yes! Russian Thugs NYET!,” “Don’t invest in Russia! Divest!,” and “Russia Day? We say NYET! Kiss our assets!”

 

 

Russia Day at #NYSE is underway with remarks by Sergey Belyakov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia pic.twitter.com/fHtrQuA4QO

— Vasili Sushko (@vsushko_VR) November 18, 2013

Russia Day protest at NYSE pic.twitter.com/iLpZKOgdmj

— Matthew Zeitlin (@MattZeitlin) November 18, 2013

Image by Queer Nation via Twitter