ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA: About 300 people have held a protest in Russia's second-largest city over the destruction of a century-old bas-relief of the demon Mephistopheles and called for greater protection of other historical buildings and parks they say are under threat.

The sculpture was a small landmark in St. Petersburg, a city noted for striking architecture. Its destruction by unknown vandals in August raised fears of growing religious intolerance in Russia.

Also last month, activists ransacked an exhibition of non-conformist artists in Moscow, shouting that the works offended Christians.

Alexander Kobrinsky, a St. Petersburg lawmaker who took part in Sunday's protest, said the objective was "to defend our city from vandals, construction companies and even religious organizations."

Irina Kruglova, a 67-year-old protester, said she came "to defend my city from vandalism and greed."