A rally in defense of political prisoners almost turned into a Udaltsov rally

Although the rally in support of political prisoners took place in Novopushkinsky Square, paddy wagons also surrounded Pushkin Square, apparently to protect the fountain. Even the freezing rain did not stop Muscovites from going to the rally. The police rushed to stock up on hamburgers at the nearest eateries before the start, and people flocked to the square. Two metal detector frames were installed on the side of Tverskaya Street. However, this entrance was only for the press - there was a stage immediately behind them. The white ribbon walkers were politely asked to go around the square and come in from the other side. People with "Tipun Aikhun" badges cursed, spat and tried to break through.

Photo: ITAR-TASS

In total, more than a thousand people took part in the event. Flags of Solidarity, the Left Front, the Civil Front, the Libertarian Party and Yukos flashed through the crowd. Photos of political prisoners were hung on the fence in front of the stage.

Photo: ITAR-TASS

Almost all those present are supporters of Sergei Udaltsov. They were only waiting for him and chanting: “Udaltsov!” The leader of the Left Front entered like everyone else - from the far entrance. Approaching the stage, he was immediately surrounded by journalists. Ice drops bounced off his short-cropped head. He was asked about the "Anatomy of Protest" and the situation in which he now finds himself. “The task of the investigation is to keep me in constant suspense and not let me know what the coming day has in store for me. I’ll wake up in the morning - maybe they’ll come again with a search, maybe they’ll take me for interrogation, maybe they’ll take away a black funnel,” Udaltsov said about his unenviable position. For him, the main goal of the action on Pushkinskaya is to inform as many people as possible about the ongoing arrests and interrogations of political activists and ordinary citizens.

Photo: ITAR-TASS

The meeting was led by Anna Karetnikova, a member of the Public Monitoring Commission . She spoke about the prisoners, the history of their detentions and the current state of affairs. “It’s cold outside today, just as it’s cold for them now in pre-trial detention centers,” Karetnikova said. Human rights activists, relatives of the “Bolotnaya prisoners,” and political activists took the stage. But the crowd was waiting for Udaltsov alone. They kept shouting: “Udaltsov!” The leader of the Left Front, having taken the stage, asked supporters to still take into account the theme of the action and not focus their attention only on him. “We have been challenged, and we have two options: either we respond to these repressions with unity, new mass actions, or we are all worthless, and that means we went out in vain this year, and that means we will continue to be imprisoned, and that means Russia A long totalitarian winter awaits! - Udaltsov shouted from the stage. He also announced a new “March of Millions”, which is to take place on December 8, a year after the “first Bolotnaya”. He ended his speech with a long-forgotten slogan, with which, according to him, protest activity began - “Go out into the streets, take back your city!” After Udaltsov, there were many more speakers, but the journalists were no longer so interested in them - the area in front of the stage quickly became empty. “They want Bastrykin to live in every house! So that every house has a torture chamber!” — Alexei Sakhnin, a member of the “May 6” committee and activist of the Left Front, spoke from the stage. “No, I don’t need Bastrykin home, thank you,” the TV channel operators exchanged words and hurried to the exit.

Photo: ITAR-TASS