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Viewers of embattled Russian adult cartoon channel hold rally
21/09/2008[/align]
ST. PETERSBURG, September 21 (RIA Novosti) - Viewers of a Russian adult animation channel that is facing charges of promoting extremism are holding a sanctioned rally in St. Petersburg on Sunday.
In early September Russian prosecutors upheld a complaint from a religious group against the adult-oriented cartoon network 2x2, which broadcasts South Park, The Simpsons, The Griffins, Metalocalypse, and Lenore the Cute Little Dead Girl, for their "overt propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia." The 2x2 company was issued with a warning and the case was referred to court.
Several hundred young people gathered in St. Petersburg to express their support for the channel, although the rally organizers had filed an application with the city authorities for no more than 50 persons. The channel earlier said that as of next week it will suspend broadcasts of 12 cartoons, including South Park, The Simpsons, The Griffins, until the situation is resolved.
The first accusations against the channel came in March 2008, when Russian Protestant leaders submitted a request to the Prosecutor General's Office asking for the channel's license to be revoked, saying it "promotes immorality and violence." In February 2008, Rossvyazokhrankultura, a regulatory body for television in Russia, issued warnings to the channel over the 'Happy Tree Friends' and 'The Adventures of Big Jeff' cartoon series, recommending that cease broadcasting them to avoid legal problems.
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I've not heard of 'The Griffins' before, so thanks to these puritans I'll hopefully have something else to taint my soul with! Ah wait, that's probably the name they have for Family Guy...
