Russians Are Protesting the War in Ukraine, and Are Being Arrested by Russian Police [with video]

The Speaker — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 00:18:29 +0000

In recent weeks, Russians have been attempting to demonstrate against the Russian war in Ukraine–an action that has been difficult because the Russian government has recently passed laws limiting free assembly in Russia. In Moscow Sunday night, Russian protesters attempted to demonstrate against Russia’s undeclared war and were arrested by Russian police. The protesters attempted to hold a candlelight vigil composed of 2,249 candles–equivalent to the number of civilians already reported killed in Eastern Ukraine, but were prevented from doing so by Russian police. “Respected citizens! Extinguish the candles. This is forbidden in a public place!” police announced before extinguishing the candles. Protesters questioned the law prohibiting candles in a public place, and were arrested by police. Dmitry Kartsev, an employee of Gazeta.ru and a participant in the aborted vigil, was arrested after saying, “I have come to remember those who have died on both sides of the conflict taking place in Ukraine.” “I’m not an activist at all. I’m a person who is bitter, that people died–died due to stupidity,” said another participant. “People died who don’t even know the truth about what is happening. I have a friend who went to Donbass as a volunteer. And died. That’s it, the man is gone.” The number of 2,249 was reported by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights last week. A later number, tallied by UNOHCHR and reported by Reuters, was 2,593, excluding Malaysia Airlines MH17 victims. Another participant, who also took part in an extension of the demonstration in another, less public locale, said of the further action, which was seen by very few, “That was useless, even laughable. “But something had to be done. You don’t want to lose the remnants of your human face.” Also over the weekend, in several Russian cities Russians protested against Putin and the denial of their constitutional rights to assembly, and were arrested. A new phenomenon also occurred with regards to the protests. Lone protesters have begun protesting in the streets. The protesters are proceeding on the presumption that, unlike group protests, single protesters do not require permts for demonstration. However, five people were arrested by Russian police for solitary protests, including composer Aleksandr Manotskov. By Day Blakely Donaldson Manezhku for and against the war with Ukraine

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Pro-Siberia Protesters Arrested, Protests Barred in Russia

The Speaker — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:27:41 +0000

Russian police blocked demonstrations in Novosibisrk and several other locations of Russia Sunday. The demonstrations had been organized to call for the Russian government to observe constitutional rights in Russia. The “March for the Federalization of Siberia” was set to take place Sunday in Siberia and parts in the south of Russia, but was banned in advance by Russian authorities. Demands of the demonstrators included deomcratically elected officials and a more fair distribution of Siberian revenue. Despite the ban, around a dozen activists picketed in Novosibirsk. Signs displayed by the activists read “Putin, stop stealing from Siberia!” and “Bring taxes back to Siberia, bring elections back!” A primary complaint of the federalists is that although gubernatorial elections were reinstated in 2013, the Russian government maintains a “municipal filter” system, by which they can rule out candidates they do not want to run for office. Another main complaint regards revenue generated in Siberia, which is transferred to Moscow and does not return, allegedly. At least nine pro-Siberia activists were detained. Six organizers were arrested in Novosibirsk and a neighboring region. Another organizer was arrested in Kuban in southern Russia. Two activists were detained at a pro-federalization picket in Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains. Four Novosibirsk organizers were held as part of a potential criminal case, and another two were detained on suspicition of stealing a mobil phone and held in custody during the protest day. The Kuban woman was detained for 14 days on charges of hooliganism after unknown men began arguing with her on the street. The Yekaterinburg activists were charged with resisting police, reportedly. In Omsk, Siberia a pro-Siberian rally was barred from the central square by police, who claimed that the central square was already occupied by another rally purposing to gather aid for Eastern Ukraine. Critics have pointed out that the same support for federalism banned by the Russian government in Siberia is supported by the Russian government in Eastern Ukraine. Pro-Siberia activists have said that the two movements are different in that the Siberian federalists do not want to separate–they want only more rights and economic freedoms for the regions. By Day Blakely Donaldson

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Russians Are Protesting the War in Ukraine, and Are Being Arrested by Russian Police [with video]

Pro-Siberia Protesters Arrested, Protests Barred in Russia