Just come

The organizers of the rallies on Triumfalnaya Square in defense of Article 31 of the Constitution, which guarantees Russian citizens the right to peacefully assemble in the streets and squares, sent a letter to the editors-in-chief of Russian media. The head of the Moscow Helsinki Group Lyudmila Alekseeva, the representative of the “Left Front” Konstantin Kosyakin and the leader of the National Bolsheviks Eduard Limonov write to people “who have influence on the minds and civil behavior” of their compatriots, “moral authorities and guiding beacons of society”: “Show personal civic courage, go out to Triumphal Square on May 31st with us! We need you! The last time, on March 31, the events on Triumfalnaya took place according to the provocative scenario of the Moscow authorities: several thousand activists of pro-Kremlin organizations brought from the cities of central Russia were thrown into the square against us, creating a situation fraught with clashes and stampedes. Believe me, we have every reason to believe that on May 31 the Moscow authorities will again provoke a dangerous situation.

Your presence, even if only in your professional capacity as journalists personally monitoring what is happening, will force the police and riot police to pull themselves up and behave correctly, will force them to prevent clashes. We understand that our call, which is non-standard in Russian conditions, may seem strange and naive to you. However, the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens have narrowed dramatically over the past years, so much so that Triumfalnaya Square is the last frontier. Help defend it. Just come."