A large turnout is expected at a Greenpeace protest outside the Russian Embassy in Wellington today.
The rally is part of a global Day of Solidarity, with events taking place at more than 170 locations in 45 countries to protest against the arrest of 30 Greenpeace activists.
The group, including two New Zealanders have been charged with piracy by Russian authorities.
All crew members of the Arctic Sunrise ship, which was seized in international waters last month during a protest over drilling for oil in the Arctic, now face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
New Zealand activists Jonathan Beauchamp and David Haussmann are among those facing jail.
Lawyers for the environment group have lodged formal appeals in the Murmansk Lenin district court against the continued detention of the crew members, who have been dubbed 'the Arctic 30'.
Today's protest has been organised to voice the "profound injustice" of the charges, with Greenpeace calling for people to "fight against bullies".
Supporters of the activists will gather outside the Russian Embassy in Karori from midday, in a picket which will also feature speeches from families of the two New Zealanders held by Russian police.
Greenpeace international executive director Kumi Naidoo said its activists had been "accused of an imaginary offence", and branded it a "profound injustice".
The protests internationally include a human banner on Hong Kong's harbour, pickets at former Apartheid detention centres in South Africa, and a replica Arctic Sunrise unveiling in Madrid.
Meanwhile, the Dutch foreign minister said yesterday he would file a suit to recover the Arctic Sunrise.
Frans Timmermans said he would also try to obtain the release of the ship's 30 occupants charged with piracy by Russia via diplomatic channels.
"I feel responsible for the ship and its crew because it's a ship that sails under the Dutch flag," he told reporters in The Hague, Netherlands.
- Rebecca Quilliam of APNZ
