Solidarity Rallies in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco for LGBT Russians

According to Petrelis Files:

"Gay activists in three U.S. cities will mobilize for vigils on May 16 and 17 for IDAHO, International Day Against Homophobia, and the focus will be to apply pressure on the Russian government to grant all necessary permits to the organizers of Moscow's third gay pride parade, scheduled for late May.

Last year, despite the mayor of Moscow refusing to grant permits to parade, gay marchers from around the world attempted to peaceably take to the streets for equality and tolerance, and were violently assaulted by ultra-nationalist thugs, sending some of the gays, covered in blood, to the hospital. Russian police stood by and did nothing to stop the attacks."

City: Chicago, IL
Date: Saturday, May 17
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Women and Children First Bookstore
Action: Rally in front of store, then a march
Address: 5233 N. Clark Street, cross street is Farragaut
Contact: Andy Thayer; lgbtliberation@aol.com
Web site: GayLiberation.net

City: New York, NY
Date: Friday, May 16
Time: 12 noon
Location: Russian Consulate
Action: Speak out
Address: 9 E. 91st Street, cross street is Fifth Avenue
Contact: Brendan Fey; brendan@stpatsforall.com

City: San Francisco, CA
Date: Friday, May 16
Time: 12 noon
Location: Russian Consulate
Action: Speak out
Address: 2790 Green Street, cross street is Baker
Contact: Michael Petrelis; mpetrelis@aol.com