Translated material
Short meetings
On Sunday we walked along Manezhnaya Square. There were about 25 of us - activists of The Other Russia, led by Kasparov. In our hands we held plastic bags on which it was written: “I am not participating in the farce. March 2, 2008." Walking with us were mainly Western journalists and domestic riot police. The riot police were correct, the journalists were not always - they approached Kasparov with stupid questions, like this: “Why is there almost no Russian press at your event?”
Next to me, an elderly police colonel nervously reported on his mobile phone: “How do I know whether Kasparov is campaigning or not? He speaks English."
And then I remembered him. Last spring, after the next “March of Dissent,” dozens of detainees were taken in paddy wagons to a narrow nook on Old Square, where one of the magistrates’ precincts is located. There was only one judge. Obviously, due to the weekend, others could not be found. And people were being unloaded and unloaded, and it was clear that it would not be possible to convict them all in the foreseeable future. So this same colonel wandered through the crowd of detainees, clearly pulled out of the house, and, apparently, right from the table, and angrily muttered under his breath: “What a mess. We are completely unprepared for mass repressions.”
“Hello, Mr. Colonel,” I cheerfully greeted my old acquaintance.
“Hello,” the law enforcement officer responded sadly.
Then the following dialogue took place between us.
Colonel: “Are you planning any provocations?”
Me: “God forbid, Mr. Colonel, what kind of provocations?!”
Colonel: “How do I know what... We can expect anything from you... Well, you’ll start throwing leaflets or shouting slogans now...”
Me: “No, Mr. Colonel, we are not planning anything like that, we are just walking... And if someone starts shouting or throwing something around, you can immediately take revenge on him - he will definitely be a provocateur...”
Colonel: “Well, I understand, I understand... But still, what are your future plans?”
Me: “I’m telling you, we are making plans to take a walk around spring Moscow. No others."
Colonel: “Where are you going for a walk?”
Me: “They haven’t decided that yet.”
Colonel: “Will you go straight with the packages?”
Me: “What’s wrong with packages now?”
Colonel: “You can, of course, but this inscription... This is clearly propaganda...”
Me: “What inscription?”
Colonel: “Well, this one...”
Me: “Which one?”
Colonel: “Well, this one...”. Points his finger at my bag.
Me: “What’s wrong with her?”
Colonel: “It’s propaganda.” And then, clearly making an effort on himself, he says: “I’m not participating in the farce”...
Me: “So you’re not participating either?”
The colonel, frightened: “No, I’m participating...”
Me: “Why are you, Mr. Colonel, taking part in the farce?”
Colonel, confused: “I’m not a farce, I’m in the elections...”
Me: “You said it, Mr. Colonel. There is not a word about elections on the package..."
The colonel spat and ran behind the riot police chain.
After Kasparov left and most of the journalists dispersed, the police finally detained four activists. But this, as one famous movie character says, is normal...
Photo from the site www.kasparov.ru