They decided to hold the action after Moscow Minister of Culture Sergei Kapkov said on the Sunday broadcast of the Posner program that he “considers correct” the decision of the City Duma to ban “certain insignia,” one of which is the white ribbon. Kapkov emphasized that he supports the initiative for reasons of safety of citizens. “Since there is a degree of political confrontation, political, not always healthy discussion, the ribbon can be regarded as a provocation when you are riding the subway, when you are traveling on public transport. And we already had facts where there was simply physical interference in the life of another person, that is, fights and so on and so forth. I think this is a temporary measure. It has been laid in reserve so that, God forbid, nothing happens,” Kapkov argued his position.

The organizers of “White Ribbon Day” were outraged by Kapkov’s statement. The Moscow government, according to activists, seeks to hide the infringement of the rights of the opposition behind the intention to protect the citizens, the organizers of the action write on Facebook.

Kapkov’s answer also caused bewilderment among city authorities. Chairman of the Moscow City Duma Vladimir Platonov stated that the Moscow City Duma did not adopt any laws that would prohibit “more than one person from gathering within the Garden Ring and riding with white ribbons.” Platonov promised that he would contact Posner, “after all, something needs to be done so that the Russians and Muscovites who carefully watch his program learn the truth that the Moscow City Duma did not pass such laws.”

Let us recall that on December 26, 2012, the Moscow City Duma adopted the bill “On amendments to the Moscow city law of April 4, 2007 No. 10 “On ensuring conditions for the exercise of the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to hold meetings, rallies, demonstrations, processions and pickets in the city of Moscow.” Deputies banned motor rallies with decals along the Garden Ring and established new rules for holding single pickets - picketers were prohibited from approaching each other closer than 50 meters. In addition, the authorities intend to suppress single pickets that take place simultaneously and have the same organizer and goal. The Moscow authorities decided to allocate specially designated areas for the protesters - “Hyde Parks”.

“White Ribbon Day” will be held in Moscow