Nationalists Participate in Second “March of Millions” in Moscow

On June 12, 2012, nationalists, as has already become traditional, participated in the “March of Millions” opposition march in Moscow.

From the start, almost all of them lined up in a column on Strastnoy Boulevard. Listed in order, they were:

-A column of about 100 people, headed by Alexander Belov, from the “Russians” movement coordinated by Georgi Borovikov (The Movement Against Illegal Immigration and the “Memory” nationalist organization) with a banner saying, “Don’t deny Russians;”

-Around 50 people, who were carrying a large imperial flag;

-A column of about 100 people from the “Great Russia” party, headed by Andrei Savelev;

-A column of about 50 people from the “Russian Probezhka” group walked close behind the Great Russia column with a flag saying “Russian means sober” and a banner saying “You can’t hang everyone;”

-Another group of about 100 people carrying the flag of the Russian All-People’s Union (ROS;)

-Supporters of Yuri Mukhin – no more than 50 people;

-National-Democratic Party with Konstantin Krylovy, Alla Gorbunova, and Vladimir Tor at the head, along with their close allies, the Russian Social Union and “Common Cause,” in total about 50 people (small groups of defenders of the Syrian regime went before and after the column of national-democrats.)

Separate from the nationalists was a column of another 50 people from Valerii Soloviev's “New Power” party.

Separately, there were activists from “The Russian Way,” “Democratic Choice,” and “Islamic Civil Charter.”

In total, based on estimates from “Sova” Center observers, around 550 nationalists participated in the event.

Before beginning the procession, there was a verbal conflict between activists from “Solidarity” on one side of Strastnoy Boulevard and nationalists on the other side. The nationalists said that they wouldn't allow “Oranges” to go through, and heard in return that fascism will not work.

During the march, nationalists chanted, “Russia – Russian power!” “The future belongs to us!” “Russia will be great!” “Russian means sober,” “Turn over 282!” “Moscow without churki!” “Churki, get out!” “Let’s say in unison throughout the country: immigrant, go home!” “Moscow – a Russian city!” “Glory to Russia!” “Russian order on Russian soil!” and others.

No significant incidents were noted in the course of the procession.

On the way to the rally on Prospect Sakharov, the “Great Russia” column left the procession, and the remaining members moved to the street.

Although the nationalist actually brought up the rear, on the avenue they began to actively make their way to the stage. Their vanguard succeeded and, led by Alexander Belov, they attempted to break through the barriers in front of the stage. At first they even succeeded, but then order was restored.

The nationalists shouted obscene remarks during the addresses by speakers B. Nemtsov, D. Bykov, S. Mokhatin and M. Kasianov, and jumped on the barricades, again trying to break through to the stage.

In addition, another column carrying the imperial flag was trying to make their way to their “comrades-in-arms” at the stage. Near the fence this column met with a group of protesters chanting “Fascism shall not pass!” and blocking the nationalists’ path. Someone snatched the imperial flag and threw in on the asphalt. The clash was stopped when rally participants stood between the fighting parties. Rally participants who were standing by the nationalists who were trying to climb over the fence to the stage shouted that they were “instigators.”

The well-known ultra-rightist public figure Ivan Mironov addressed the rally from the nationalist side. He read a letter by Daniil Konstantinov, who was arrested on suspicion of committing murder.

At the end of the meeting, the nationalists tried to attack defenders of the punk group “Pussy Riot.” On of the defenders had his nose broken.

A photoessay from the “Sova” Center can be found here.