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Animal Rights Activitst Detained In Sochi Protest

Taiu Kunimoto |
February 8, 2014 | 10:34 a.m. PST

Executive Producer

Sochi 2014 has become a platform for activists to voice their concerns against the Russian government (Creative Common/md-protestfotographie)
Sochi 2014 has become a platform for activists to voice their concerns against the Russian government (Creative Common/md-protestfotographie)
One Russian animal rights activist was detained in Moscow on Saturday after protesting against the nation’s policy to exterminate stray dogs in preparation for Sochi 2014.

According to the Associated Press, the arrested man along with two others allegedly brandished a banner that read “Bloody Olympics” and a decapitated dog covered in blood near the Red Square.

The police soon disrupted the peaceful protest through tearing down the banner and arresting one of the activists, while the two other fled the scene unharmed.

Read More on Yahoo News

The protestors voiced against the Russian policy that was established last year where municipal authorities agreed to clean the street in order to attain an orderly image of the host country. One of the policies enforced included the capturing and the killing of stray dogs.

Although authorities have abandoned the practice a while ago, companies have been reportedly hired to continue the killing of the dogs amidst of the Olympic games.

Appropriate Setting For The Protest?

Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics has become a social platform for nations to address Russia’s social issues mainly revolving around its anti-gay laws. Four of protestor carrying rainbow flags were taken into police custody in St. Petersburg on Friday during the opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, in Sochi’s Olympic village, officials are calling for viewers and participants to emphasize more on the Olympic game itself rather than Russia’s human rights controversies. Several Olympians and coaches also suggested that the human right protest may serve as potential distractions towards athletes who are focusing to compete.

Read More on Associated Press

 

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