ACT UP Crashes Stoli Event

A small group of ACT UP members crashed an event Tuesday night sponsored by vodka brand Stoli, a company that has found itself in the middle of a boycott of Russian spirits now that the country has banned so-called LGBT propaganda.

Activists arrived at The Most Original Stoli Guy: New York competition at the Splash nightclub in Chelsea with signs that read, "Russia Kills Gays," "Dump Stoli," and "Boycott Russia," according to Gay City News. Splash, a longtime gay NYC institution, is closing in August.

The bar's security promptly shoved the demonstrators away from the stage. As they were being escorted, the event's drag queen host could be heard saying, "Look at those assholes being taken out of the bar," and "This is America, not Russia."

ACT UP organizer Mark Milano said there were Stoli executives attending the event who "saw their event crashed."