Russians voice support of cartoon network

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Several hundred young Russians took to the streets of St. Petersburg Sunday to voice support of an adult-oriented cartoon TV channel.

The network, 2x2, early this month was the subject of a complaint by a religious group of broadcasting "overt propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia," RIA Novosti reported. Prosecutors referred the matter to the courts, the Russian news agency said.

The network has carried animated programs such as "South Park," "The Simpsons," "The Griffins," "Metalocalypse" and "Lenore, the Cute Little Dead Girl." However, 2x2 officials said that beginning next week it would suspend broadcasts of 12 cartoons until the case is resolved.

Sunday's rally in support of 2x2 drew hundreds of people, while organizers had filed an application with the city officials for no more than 50, Novosti said.

The channel has been the target of religious groups since March when Russian Protestant leaders sought revocation of the channel's license, charging it "promotes immorality and violence." That came a month after a Russian TV regulatory agency recommended 2x2 cease carrying "Happy Tree Friends" and "The Adventures of Big Jeff" to avoid legal problems.