On September 14, 2005, about 50 African students from St. Petersburg universities (from LETI, the Mining Institute, St. Petersburg State University, the Medical University, Hydromet) took part in a rally organized by classmates who died the night before in the Elizabethan Hospital as a result of beating by unknown Congolese Epassac Roland Franz.

In addition to black students, the leadership of the Forestry Academy and journalists came to the rally. The participants stood in front of the academy building for about an hour with photographs of the deceased in their hands, after which they dispersed.

Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg Igor Rimmer, who arrived at the rally, made a number of statements in front of television cameras. In particular, he said that he considers it necessary to organize a "dialogue" with all parties to the conflict: "Ideally, it is necessary to gather at the same table both black people and the same leaders of skinhead organizations and finally come to constructive agreements. And of course, the authorities must ensure the safety of foreign students, regardless of the "combat" moods of our unscrupulous citizens. And if we cannot ensure safety, we must openly declare: do not come to us, it is dangerous here. "

According to one of the organizers of the rally, Desiree Defoe, deputy chairman of the public organization "African Unity", the action was spontaneous. An official, authorized rally is to take place on the morning of September 15 in one of the halls of the Mariinsky Palace.

Sources

Goroshkov P. Need to gather blacks and skinheads at the same table? // Fontanka.ru. 2005. September 14.

A spontaneous protest rally was held in St. Petersburg in connection with the murder of a Congolese citizen