Russian security forces raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow Friday night, less than 48 hours after the country’s top court banned what it called the “global LGBTQ+ movement” as an extremist organization.
Police searched venues across the Russian capital, including a nightclub, a male sauna, and a bar that hosted LGBTQ+ parties, under the pretext of a drug raid, local media reported.
Eyewitnesses told journalists that clubgoers’ documents were checked and photographed by the security services. They also said that managers had been able to warn patrons before police arrived.
First they came for the >!socialists!< democrats, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a >!socialist!< democrats.
Then they came for the >!trade unionists!< journalist, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a >!trade unionist!< journalist.
Then they came for the >!Jews!< Gays, and I did not speak out— Because I was not >!a Jew!< gay.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.