Scandalous monument: third rally against installation of monument to Ivan the Terrible in Oryol

Picket against monument to Ivan the Terrible took place on September 14, organizers of the protest action reported this information on Facebook.

Action in the Oryol's hyde park – Yermolov park – lasted about two hours. The organizers wanted to hold it on Lenin Square, but the authorities denied, citing the fact that there would be muster of MOE forces at this time.

Requirements of protesters were the same: there should not be a monument to "bloody tyrant" and "child-killer" in the city. The picketers unwrapped banners with slogans. Among them were: "Monuments can not be installed forcibly", "Into the dark past!", "Leave free space in front of the theater". Activists said that the next time they would organize meeting, they plan to hold it after elections.

The controversial monument has already been delivered in Oryol, but the installation date is unknown: September 13, factory district court banned installation of the monument until 29 September. On this day, hearing on the suit to the mayor and city council of Oryol to be held as they have agreed on the appearance of the monument at the site of cultural heritage.

This is not the first protest action. September 2, they went to the theater "Free space" and held a rally, despite the fact of close proximity to a concert of "United Russia" and speakers could not be heard because of the loud music. A well-known Russian writer, historian Marietta Chudakova came to support the protesters.

Local authorities decided to set a monument to Ivan the Terrible, founder of Oryol, for the city's anniversary. It shoul be installed on August 3 at the children's Youth Theatre. This decision, taken without public discussion, was protested by historians, ordinary residents of Oryol, who believed that it was impossible to perpetuate memory of the bloody tyrant, child-killer, especially in front of children's theater. Patriarch Kirill has supported the memorial. In July, there was a picket against the monument, its opening was postponed until September. Also, the mayor and city council was filed an action for the fact that they agreed on the installation. The authorities have promised to conduct a survey of public opinion and then make a final decision. The survey was conducted, the vice-governor of the Oryol region Alexander Budarin reported that most of the inhabitants of the city voted for it and a monument would be installed. According to journalists, 400 citizens took part in the survey, population of the city is 300 thousand people. Local historic preservation activist, blogger of «7x7» Georgy Sarkisian quoting official documents said that the opinion survey was carried out in secret.

Natalia Turchinskaya, «7x7»

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