St. Petersburg - Activists from the Trade Union of Russian Citizens are planning to continue a series of lone protests against Madonna's concert in St. Petersburg, the public movement told Interfax.
“At first we were planning to hold protests outside the Sports and
Concert Complex (where her performance will take place), but we dropped
this idea because representatives from the LGBT movement will be
protesting there. We have decided to go to Dvortsovaya Square tonight,”
the source said.
It was here that Madonna gave her first performance in St. Petersburg
a few years ago, he said. “The time has come to consecrate this place.
We have invited a priest to spray holy water onto Dvortsovaya Square,”
the source said.
The Trade Union of Russian Citizens believes that Madonna has turned
its ideas into political demonstrations, having become “an ideological
weapon of the West,” the source said. “We are against the genocide of
morality and ethics. Foreigners have no right to dictate the rules of
life to us,” the spokesman said.
Madonna is performing in St. Petersburg on Thursday. The show is due
to begin on the stage of the Petersburgsky Sports and Concert Complex at
2000 Moscow time. Madonna will sing songs from her new album M.D.N.A.
as part of her world tour.
During her performance in Moscow on August 7, Madonna spoke in
support of the arrested members of the Pussy Riot punk band. Also, the
singer wrote on her Facebook page that during her performance in St.
Petersburg she will touch upon the problem of gay rights violations in
the city, which banned “propaganda” promoting homosexuality and
pedophilia to minors.
Activists from St. Petersburg-based public movements Narodny Sbor and
the Trade Union of Russian Citizens held protests against Madonna’s
concert on the eve of her performance. The U.S. Consulate General warned
citizens of a possible physical threat at the pop star’s concert.
Diplomats urged concert goers to be mindful of their personal safety.
Security at the concert will be provided by 350 police officers.
