The Participation of Nationalists in the "March of Millions-3" in Moscow

On September 15 2012, during the third oppositional march and rally "March of Millions" the nationalists were once again present as in the previous marches.

According to estimates made by SOVA Center observers there were around 200 participants in the main nationalist line carrying imperial and neo-pagan flags. The nationalist line was led by Georgy Borovikov from the ethno-political association “The Russians” (Etnopoliticheskoe ob’edinenie – Russkie) and he was followed by a crowd carrying a large banner representing the imperial flag. After the banner there was another group of people led by Dmitry Demushkin, also from the association "The Russians". Among the nationalist marchers were also observed Vladimir Ermolaev, Anton Severny ("The Russians") and the lead singer of the band "Kruger", Alexander Hammer. The marchers were chanting traditional slogans including "Russian Country for Russians”, “Cancel 282" (referring to the article 282 in the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Incitement of National, Racial, or Religious Enmity”) and "Death to the enemies."

Among others, the event was attended by activists from the political party "The Will" (Volya), led by Svetlana Peunova (no more than 50 people); a few paratroopers; supporters of the Yekaterinburg activist Leonid Khabarov from "Russian National Militia of Minin and Pozharsky" (NOMP) (about 10 people); activists from the National Democratic Party (NDP) and the Russian Civil Union (RGS) (about 50 people, including Konstantin Krylov).

Walking separately was observed the group "Volnitsa" (less than 10 people) with the banner "Direct democracy - a Russian tradition."

Activists from the organization Eurasian Youth Union (ESM), which stated on the eve of the demonstration their intention of "stopping the march of the opposition with crosses, daggers and silver bullets ", gathered at the Griboyedov monument and later followed the crowd to the Sakharov Avenue. Their numbers did not exceed 10 people, including the four women representing the movement of "Women's council" (Zhensovet). One of the activists of the ESM, Andrei Kovalenko, holding the poster "a million of you – a multitude of us" was punched in the face by an unknown man wearing the badge 'Organizer', who later fled and disappeared into the crowd.

At the Sakharov Avenue the nationalists, as usual trying to push their way forward towards the stage, clashed with the anarchists and started throwing sticks and bottles at them. Several people were detained by the police. According to some blogs, there were also clashes between nationalists and LGBT activists.

The nationalists and other “party” sections did not manage to push themselves forward towards the stage due to an additional fence set up by the police approximately 50 meters from the stage. The nationalists remained behind the fence shouting offensive and xenophobic slogans towards the speakers.

Among others, the rally hosted speakers like the blogger Alexei Navalny, Natalia Kholmogorova (ROD) and Alexander Belov ("The Russians"). The latter eagerly shouted slogans like "The future belongs to us", "Homeland or Death", "We will fight to the end" and "Glory to Russia!". Before Belov’s performance, one of the organizers Ilya Yashin greeted and welcomed the "Russian nationalists". The father of Danil Konstantinov (leader of Moscow Defence League), who was arrested on suspicion of murder, held a speech calling for the "release of political prisoners."

See some photos.