"We need to support the security forces"

How an anti -terrorist rally was held in Sevastopol

In Sevastopol, at a rally of solidarity with St. Petersburg, they suggested returning checkpoints, strengthening security measures and creating a folk anti -terrorism committee.

The Memorial "City Jero Leningrad" is drowning in flowers. People carry them with large bouquets, often wrapped in St. George ribbons. The memorial stops for a few seconds: cross themselves. Some cry.

The start of the rally is scheduled for 10:00, but the area near the eternal fire near the house of the Sevastopol government is filled in half an hour. About 1,500 people. No signs of “organizing from above”: no hurrying to go to the onlookers, nor the posters made under the carriage of posters. The city governor Dmitry Ovsyannikov promised that there would be no coercion to participate in the rally, and it seemed to keep his promise.

The beginning of the event is noted not so much a mourning agenda as the enemy designated and a call for mobilization.

“Terrorism is a phenomenon that appeared in the early 90s, when organized gangs began to attack Russia in all directions,” the chieftain of the Sevastopol Cossack District, Alexander Krasyuk, announces the microphone. - Thank God, then it was possible to maintain the integrity of our Motherland. Now we see how, with the support of a number of state structures of Western countries, almost legal support for international terrorism around the world occurs. Confirmation of this is the events of April 7, when the Americans hit Tomagavk missiles in Syria. Crimea and Sevastopol in this sense are also on the forefront. And the most effective thing that can be done by us is the support of power structures so that the manifestations of terrorism do not happen on Sevastopol land. That is why we [Cossacks] decided to promote the security forces in the implementation of their functionality. We decided to create a People’s Anti -Terrorism Committee, which will enter organizations that proved their devotion to Sevastopol.

Krasyuk did not clarify exactly what functions will be executed, noting that “there are specific proposals”. He completed his speech with the words: “Our support is our support, our troops in Syria-support, Sevastopol-Glory!”

The Governor of Sevastopol, Dmitry Ovsyannikov, who spoke, was laconic:

- There was a terrible tragedy. There is no excuse and forgiveness. The Government of Sevastopol will do everything to ensure the safety of citizens. We are in solidarity with St. Petersburg and say “no” to terrorism as evil that takes away the lives of people.

The speaker of the Legislative Assembly Ekaterina Altabaeva tried to return the rally to the rally, who spoke of the pain of Sevastopol, the twin cities of St. Petersburg.

But when the word was again taken by a man in uniform - this time the chairman of the organization Sevastopol Andrei Sitnikov - the conversation returned to the direction of politics.

- Terrorism is a fear that in 2014 they wanted to sow among us individual groups that threatened Sevastopol. We then went to checkpoints, took control of gas pipelines and power lines, ensured the safety of the townspeople. I am sure that it was the most reliable anti -terror. Our organization insists that it is necessary to return stationary posts to all entrances to the city of Sevastopol, to strengthen security measures at auto and railway stations.

According to Sitnikov, “religious sects” pose a terrorist threat.

- These sects have formed the principle of guiding fear and horror due to the destruction of civilian objects. We must be vigilant to destructive religious organizations, ”he said.

At the end of his speech, Sitnikov urged the townspeople to return to the "atmosphere of unity, which was in 2014."

And the Sevastopol residents, apparently, are ready for such a return.

“I believe that it is necessary to introduce folk patrols, which would have broad powers up to the detention,” a resident of Sevastopol Natalya Gorshkova told Novaya Gazeta. - Soon the tourist season, people will go to us, and we simply must ensure their safety. So if there is a suspicious type that can potentially make an explosion, or start shooting, then you need to stop it, interrogate, examine it. And if everything is in order - well, apologize. The situation is such.

Other Sevastopol respondents also spoke out for strengthening safety measures and expressed their readiness to participate in anti -terrorism activities in any necessary way.