A large group of protesters gathered outside Federal Hall on Wall Street yesterday to protest the New York Stock Exchange’s celebration of Russia Day in light of recent criticism of Russia’s LGBTQ rights.

The protest on Nov. 18 was inspired by 2006 NYU Law alumnus Bert Leatherman’s petition on Change.org that called for the cancellation of the NYSE’s third annual Russia Day celebration, a day dedicated to discussing business and investment opportunities in Russia.

“For the NYSE to commemorate Russia Day and allow Russian officials to ring the closing bell sends a terrible message that it’s okay to invest in countries that brutalize LGBT citizens,” Leatherman said in a press release.

This year, Russia Day was sponsored by NYSE Euronext, an electronic stock exchange based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Director of communications at NYSE Euronext Sara Rich said Russia Day is not unusual because the Stock Exchange in New York City sponsors days for other countries and regions.

“NYSE Euronext strongly supports the equal rights of all individuals and abhors discrimination of any kind,” Rich said. “Russia Day is focused on investment opportunities in Russia. It is a conference about capital markets and investments.”

Many protesters lined the sidewalk with a large rainbow banner reading “Boycott Homophobia” while others were scattered along Wall Street for the ringing of the closing bell by a Russian minister.

Eva Deverette, 38, came to support her cousin, who she said was denied a research opportunity in Moscow a few years ago because she was gay.

“She was in the finals for this grant to study abroad in Moscow, and then she filled out her wife’s name and suddenly wasn’t qualified to be in the final three,” Deverette said. “Endorsing Russia is rewarding bad behavior and putting money before citizens. And it shouldn’t be stood for.”

Leatherman sent a personal email to Duncan Niederauer, CEO of the NYSE, demanding him to follow the footsteps of other major New York City men, such as Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and denounce association with Russia.

Niederauer stated that the NYSE has advocated for LGBTQ people. She also said Russia Day could be used to foster a larger discussion.

Bridgette Lewis, 26, read the letter exchange and was not convinced that NYSE supports LGBTQ rights.

“Men in power are trained to find the loophole,” Lewis said. “[Niederauer]’s response was nothing but political code for ‘we’re going to make too much money off of this to stop, so you’re wasting your time.”

Julie Krumwiede, a student at the NYU School of law and member of NYU OUTLaw, the LGBTQ student group of the law school, was pleased with the movement.

“Given NYU Law’s commitment to the practice of law in service of the public interest, NYU OUTLaw is thrilled to see alumni active in social justice initiatives and organizing direct actions on behalf of the LGBTQ community,” she said.

Leatherman said he was satisfied with the outcome of the protest.

“I am so grateful for everyone who showed up to it and supported the petition,” Leatherman said. “I was amazed at how many people signed it online.”