Stavropol Convention Disrupted and Canceled

On the morning of August 29, 2003, the annual three-day convention of Jehovah's Witnesses opened in Stavropol, Russia. Hundreds of families present for the peaceful convention were stunned to see police officers enter the stadium, force their way onto the stage, push the speaker aside, and order all in attendance to leave the premises. Entrances to the stadium were locked and arriving delegates were ordered to go home