Incident during an anti-fascist march in St. Petersburg

On April 11, 2006, in St. Petersburg, the Nashi movement organized an anti-fascist action to protest against the murder of a Senegalese student, during which a brawl occurred, which, according to the interpretation of some media, had a nationalist background.

The action began with a rally on Konyushennaya Square, which was attended by about 1,000 people, mostly African students. After the end of the rally, part of the protesters, numbering 150-200 people, marched along Nevsky Prospekt in the direction of Vosstaniya Square (the march was not sanctioned), chanting the slogans “Fascism will not pass!” and "Russia for everyone!" .

The brawl occurred while driving along Nevsky in the area of ​​Malaya Sadovaya. According to one version (Fontanka.ru), one of the random passers-by, who was interrupted by a crowd of marchers, began shouting complaints, and several participants in the action (African students) attacked him. According to another version (Polit.ru), while the participants of the procession passed by Gostiny Dvor , “several Africans thought that two young people standing at the store raised their hands in a fascist salute,” after which “about 10 Africans ran up to them and between them a fight ensued." And, finally, in the interpretation of Rosbalt, “two guys in leather jackets standing on the sidewalk uttered several curse words at those passing by.” In response, two activists of the Nashi movement called them “fascists,” after which “some of the demonstrators returned and attacked the guys, managing to inflict several blows on them.” All versions agree that the fight was stopped by police officers.

Sources

• Anti-fascist march ended in a brawl // Polit.ru. 2006. April 11.
• “Our people” wander along Nevsky // Rosbalt. 2006. April 11.
• Tikhomirova S. In St. Petersburg they marched against fascism // Fontanka.ru. 2006. April 11.