COC Netherlands is organizing a flaming protest at the Amsterdam Gay Monument during the opening of the Olympic Winter Games on Friday 7 February. The COC announced this on Monday 20 January.

“While President Putin celebrates his party in Sochi, we reflect on the other face of Russia: the plight of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders, the anti-gay law and the poor human rights situation,” COC chairman Tanja Ineke said about the action.

The protest will take place on Friday 7 February, 18.30-19.30 pm, at the Homomonument on the Westermarkt in Amsterdam. Interested parties can register HERE Sign Up.

Putin show
Under the motto Flame at the Homomonument the COC organizes an alternative ceremony during the opening of the Winter Games. A protest against the deteriorating position of LGBT people in Russia, a solidarity rally for Russian LGBT people and a counterpoint against the 'Putin show' in Sochi.

The situation of LGBT people in Russia is deteriorating day by day. Russian LGBT organizations report a sharp increase in violence against LGBT people since President Putin introduced the anti-gay law in 2013. Horrible videos appear in Russian social media in which LGBT people are mistreated, humiliated and forced to come out. There are raids and bomb threats at LGBT meetings and organizations.

The COC organized two demonstrations against the situation in Russia last year: during President Putin's visit to the Netherlands on 8 April and on Amsterdam's Museumplein in August. Three to five thousand people attended. The COC calls on the cabinet to also take a clear stand against the situation in Russia, by not sending a king and prime minister to Sochi. A petition with that message has now been signed by almost 28 people.

UPDATE:
Many of you have expressed your anger, concern or disappointment in recent days about the fact that Minister Bussemaker might speak at the protest at the Homomonument on 7 February. That is a clear signal, which we take seriously.

Next Monday evening, February 3, the COC will meet with Prime Minister Rutte and Minister Bussemaker. We want to convince them that the King and Prime Minister should stay at home. We bring with us the more than 32 signatures that are already under the petition against the heavy delegation on COC.nl. Depending on the outcome of this discussion, the COC will consider the program and speakers of the event on 7 February. We will inform you about this on Monday evening, after the conversation.

Anyway, let's make it a strong protest together on Friday against the anti-gay law, the appalling situation of LGBT people in Russia and President Putin's prestige party in Sochi.

[Source/Illustration: COC NL]