Amsterdam Mayor Eberhard van der Laan addressed more than 2,000 activists on Sunday protesting Russia's anti-gay law.

The law, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, makes “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among minors” illegal. Its passage has provoked an international outcry and calls for a boycott of the Winter Olympics to be held next year in Sochi.

The demonstrators took aim at Putin, jeering the president with calls of “Putin Out!”

Van der Laan told the crowd that he hoped to send a message to Moscow that “love is not propaganda.”

After the protest, he told the AP that the city “is proud of its homosexual community and they have the right to support from government,” not persecution.

Van der Laan conceded that Moscow wasn't likely to change its mind.

“You have to say something at any rate,” he said.

Drag queen Dolly Bellefleur was among those performing at the To Russia With Love concert stage.

The demonstration, held in Amsterdam's largest square, was organized in response to a concert being staged on the far side of the square featuring a Russian state orchestra and choir.

The activists quietly waved rainbow flags from the audience during the performance.