Translated material
"Forbid - you will end badly"
In Moscow, a rally was held in defense of Runet from censorship: despite opposition from the authorities, the action raised more than 15 thousand people. Among them was NT correspondent
The main organizer of the rally in defense of the Runet, which held Sakharov Avenue a few days after the final approval by the State Duma “Klishas Package” (the law on fines and blocks for insulting power and fake-nuis must still approve the Council of People's Commissars-the bill “On the Sovereign Internet”) was the Liberian Party of Russia. Even before the rally, the police seized some banners from the organizers. But this did not prevent them from actively advertising a rally through social networks.
The rally called Russians and Telegram, which Roskomnadzor has been trying to block for a year. The call of a social network that did not have such precedents in Russia said: “The rally is held in response to the law on the isolation of the Russian Internet, the purpose of which is the introduction of total censorship in Russia. Having spent billions of rubles, the authorities plan to cut off Russia from the rest of the world, after which they will be able to block foreign social networks and messengers. ”
People went to the rally on all sides of the area of three stations. Participants gathered in thin streams near the framework, where they were met by law enforcement officers. A group of the SERB movement was on duty near the police. Known for her provocative shares against the opposition, she still opposed the protesters. The poster of pro -government activists said that they maintain censorship, and everyone who disagrees was invited to enter into a discussion with them. Indeed, endless verbal battles went around their “picket”.
Another battle unfolded already in space after the framework. The audience fought for the right to appear before photographers and operators. Posing to the lenses, they did not forget to express their ideas about blocking: “Technically, they will manage to break the Internet. But how can we allow this? "
The main theme of all posters was the attack of the authorities to the freedom of Runet: “We prohibit prohibiting!”, “Forbid - you will end badly!” etc. One of the protesters held a parody of a wooden icon with the image of the creator of Telegram Pavel Durov. He told NT that he came from this poster from St. Petersburg. “They told me that they can plant for such a product. But it was with him that I already went to demonstrations in my hometown! Now I want to support Muscovites. ” Another participant in the rally came out with a poster in Hebrew. On Watman, a call was drawn to strive for love. She explained her choice of language for expressing a position with the origin, emphasizing that she did not think about the possible accusations of the media that the “fifth column” came to the rally.
And as if continuing this topic, the famous youth song with the slogan “Internet is for porn” began to play at the rally. Mostly youth popular songs in English sounded. Some of the protesters sang up the phonogram and danced, waiting for the beginning of performances on the stage. Most of the demonstrators were students and students, that is, users of social networks, although there were people of other ages, outraged by the attack on Runet.
Svetov urged participants to believe in themselves and learn to actively protest against the prohibitive policy of the authorities at every opportunity. He accused the creators of laws on the isolation of the Internet in Russophobia and disrespect for Russia
Near the scene itself there were people with flags. The symbolism of the Libertarian party prevailed. The Communists and anarchists also came. These were mainly young people chanting slogans about freedom. NT Young Communists explained that they do not want the development of Runet towards communist China. “And in China is communism? That's it. Their system is not perfect at all. Therefore, we also fight for freedom of communication. ”
They discussed some of them and Alexei Navalny. “Lech will not come. His wife did not let him go, ”one of the demonstrators commented on the situation. “No, he is here, he is simply not visible,” the other protester said conciliatoryly.
Alexei Navalny and his activists urged everyone to come out, but there were no people with the flags of his party among the audience. But there were associates of Dmitry Gudkov from the "Party of Changes", as well as small groups of activists from Yabloko, Solidarity and Parnasa.
In the very center of the rally, nationalists marched amicably, shouting the slogan "Russians worthy of freedom."
After the official part of the rally, people continued to “burn” in their rhythm and style. Moreover, they made this differently - one group screamed “we will return Russia to ourselves”, the other “will regain Russia to ourselves”. After the last speaker left the stage, music began to play again and dances continued. Some played guitars at the exit from the framework.
According to the “White Counter”, more than 15 thousand people gathered in total, the police counted half as much. “Despite the opposition, the rally has become one of the most massive in Russia over the past 7 years. Thanks to all participants-for the Telegram team, this is a sign that we should continue digital resistance, ”said Pavel Durov in his telegram channel.
Similar rallies were held in Khabarovsk and Voronezh.