Moscow region. A mass protest rally against the destruction of the Khimki forest brought together about 200 people

At this moment in Khimki near Moscow in the park named after Leo Tolstoy there is a mass protest rally against the destruction of the Khimki forest, as well as parks, squares, water protection zones of the city of Khimki. The organizers were initiative groups with...

At this moment in Khimki near Moscow in the park named after Leo Tolstoy there is a mass protest rally against the destruction of the Khimki forest, as well as parks, squares, water protection zones of the city of Khimki. The organizers were initiative groups from all over the city. In total, about 200 people gathered for the rally, a Novaya Gazeta correspondent reports from the scene.

The issue of distrust of the current administration is being raised, "destroying the green areas of the city for development" and "selling state property right and left: forest fund lands, water protection areas, camps, kindergartens and sanatoriums."

Among the slogans - "Leave us the air in Khimki! Do not cut down forests and parks!” , “Ecology in Khimki - yes! Bureaucratic lawlessness - no!".

In addition to the residents of Khimki, representatives of Yabloko, the Liberal Democratic Party, the Ecological Party of Russia, and AKM activists from the left movements take part in the rally.

Speaking at the rally, the leader of Yabloko, Moscow City Duma deputy Sergei Mitrokhin said that yesterday at a meeting of the Duma he asked the deputies to support the appeal to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. In the appeal, according to him, the Khimki Forest is proposed to be given the status of a specially protected natural area. According to Mitrokhin, he will take into account the wishes of his colleagues to study the introductory documents. As expected, this appeal will be made at the next meeting of the Moscow City Duma on July 16.

At today's rally, the residents of Khimki intend to initiate a popular referendum on the issue of felling 1,000 hectares of the Khimki forest for the Moscow-St. Petersburg highway, infrastructure and capital construction. If the referendum can be organized, the inhabitants of Khimki will be able to decide the fate of their forest themselves. As the organizers explain, despite the fact that a grandiose scandal is inflated around the upcoming deforestation, new road markings appeared on the oaks near the spring of St. George in early July. And this is despite the 13,000 signatures collected in defense of the forest, the trial of the project, constant protests up to the tent camp that stood for 10 days near the village of Vashutino. Currently, the new marking (like the previous one, made 1.5 years ago) has been destroyed by a gathering of residents. In addition, the other day, the Ministry of Natural Resources officially answered that the land from the forest fund for the highway had not yet been allocated. Accordingly, deforestation, if it does start, will be illegal.

It is worth noting that those who are in favor of cutting down the Khimki forest are also present in the park at this moment. A small group came to the park with posters “Parking lots for cars, yards for children”, “We want to feel comfortable!”, “Greens are bought for greens”.

There was even a small brawl: the protesters began to snatch posters from the defenders of the clearing. Surprisingly, the police did not intervene. By the way, there are very few policemen in the park. They are dispersed around the park by 2-3 people. Several police cars and one ambulance are on duty at the scene.

Let's add that the action is sanctioned by the authorities. According to the organizers, the rally in the city center has not been agreed upon. Under any pretext, Khimki officials drive all the protesters into the Park. Leo Tolstoy, where the actions will be the least visible to the population.