Russian March 2012 in Moscow

On November 4, 2012, Russian nationalists marched from the Yakimanskaya bank to Krimskiy Val Street in Moscow. According Sova Center’s estimates, the event was attended by approximately 5,500 people.

The following organizations were represented:

• Nationalist group Russkie (“Russians”)

• People's Militia in the Name of Minin and Pozharsky

• The Union of Orthodox Banner Bearers

• Russian All-National Union

• Russian All-People's Union

• Russian Liberation People's Army

• Union of the Russian People led by Boris Mironov

• The Will party (Volya)

• The Common Cause movement

• The Public Council of Civil Society

• The National-Democratic Party

• The Party of the Revival of National and Social Justice in Russia

• The “rights protection” organization Phoenix

• The Russian Sun project

• The Freedom Troopers movement.

Among the marchers one group in particular was distinguished by its aggressive slogans and behavior: straight edge activists. This group joined in the “Russians” movement’s line. Observers also noted people in Cossack and military uniforms, as well as groups of football fans.

Among the many banners and posters on display, our observers noted the following slogans: "Russians Against Dictatorship," "No retreat, the struggle continues," "Glory to Russia, glory to Rus’," "Russian power - indivisible Russia," "We demand a nationalist state," "This is our land," "Russians forward," "Stop feeding the Caucasus," "We do not want to feed the Caucasus, leave that to Allah" and "White honor stronger – than steel shackles," "Down with the Jewish Masonic elite" and others.

Sova’s observers were stunned by the abundance of Nazi and ultranationalist symbols, including the Nazi skull and crossbones, the emblem of the Hitler Youth, Celtic crosses and kolovrats (Slavic swastikas).

This march was more aggressive in nature compared to the march of 2011. This was particularly noticeable due to the various slogans chanted by the protesters, including, among others: "Moscow does not believe in guests” (referring to migrant workers; the catchy part of this slogan is a play on words with a title of a classic Russian movie), "Russia for Russians, Moscow for Muscovites," "Russian order on Russian soil" and "Immigrants out of Russia, immigrants out of Moscow." Straight edge activists and football fans made their contributions with chants such as "White race, pure blood," "Keep your blood pure," "White power," "White school for Russians," "Hitler youth SS," "Sieg heil," and, roughly translated, "Russia will be for Russians or for no one." Participants also chanted other slogans, such as “Glory to Breivik" and "Go Romney."

Many marchers threw the Nazi salute.

Speakers agitating at the meeting held after the march used strong rhetoric. Several well-known representatives from Yeltsin-era nationalist organizations were present on stage: Sergei Baburin (РОС), Boris Mironov (CPH) and Leonid Simonovich-Nikshich (leader of the СПХ), as well as “Russians” movement leaders Aleksandr Belov, Dmitry Demushkin and Georgy Borovikov. The meeting was also attended by Roman Zheleznov, also known as "Zuhel," who served a prison term for assault. Famous Russian actor Alexander Mikhailov was also present at the meeting.

After the meeting, a concert was held on the stage next to the Central House of Artists on Krimskiy Val. Overall, the event proceeded without incident.

Just before the march, approximately 25 people, including Andrei Savelyev, the leader of Great Russia, were detained by police for exhibiting what could have been interpreted as Nazi symbols.

After the march on the Dostoevskaya Metro station, nationalists attacked antifascists that were on their way to their own rally on Suvorovskaya Square. According to the Interior Ministry, several people were seriously injured in the fight. The nationalists escaped onto the next arriving train, and no one was detained by police.

Other nationalists held minor traditional events as well on the day. Among others, there was a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (ЛДПР), led by MP Vladimir Zhirinovsky (about 500 people); a procession of Orthodox fundamentalists (Union of the Russian People (СРН)) led by Mikhail Nazarov and members of the organization Borodino 2012 (about 50 people).

A meeting of the New Power party led by Valery Solovey was cancelled due to the small number of expected participants.