Scary, but what to do

A “chain of solidarity” lined up on the Arbat in support of Julia Navalny and the women-confused-provocateurs came there. Reporting Christina Safonova

On the afternoon of February 14, a promotion was held in Moscow in support of Julia Navalny, Women-Pollain and everyone who “spend their days in courts, police buses and special receptionists”-several hundred people lined up in a “solidarity chain” on Arbat. The provocateurs came there - they insulted the girls and hinted that they were protesting for money. Kristina Safonova, Special Corps of Medusa, tells how the action was held.

Street Old Arbat, two in the afternoon. At the monument to Alexander Pushkin and his wife Natalya Goncharova, people in bright vests with the inscription "Press" crowded. On the street minus 12 degrees, but it feels much colder - journalists will shift from foot to foot. Snow removals pass by, destroying traces of a two -day snowfall.

Two girls are standing aside, who came to the promotion in support of Julia Navalny and Women-Polit-Plane, who should begin. But they are in no hurry to become in the “chain”, obviously fearing the attention of the press.

- I will probably be arrested after that, right? - A girl in a red hat that has just come to Arbat has just come to the Arbat, who has just come to Arbat.

She has two inflatable hearts in her hands, and on her back a backpack is also red. The girl seems to reporters to be a xenia and recalls that the choice in favor of Red is not accidental - this is the sign of “Association” with Julia Navalny, who was in the scarlet sweatshirt at a court meeting, when Alexei Navalny was replaced by the real term with a real one. Later, a flash mob was launched in social networks in support of Navalny - under the hashtag #Negrostivsebetkhorozhno, users uploaded their photos in red clothing.

“For us, this is an important symbol, because the red color unites women who have become victims of the current political regime,” Ksenia summarizes.

- But Julia Navalny is now in Germany. Is she somehow not very solid with you now? - one of the journalists asks skeptically.

“I'm not sure about it.” I am sure that we are primarily in solidarity with her. And she is certainly in solidarity with her husband and her family, who is now in a very difficult situation, the girl replies.

Ksenia continues to fall asleep with questions. “I have the feeling that I am here alone, there are so many people around me, and I can’t find anyone in red,” she says finally. Journalists leave, letting the girl get up at the monument.

Soon other participants join it. Less than half an hour later there are already more than a hundred. By three hours - more than 200. Most of them are women. Young, adults, very elderly, they stretch a white tape along the street.

Many have flowers in their hands: red and yellow roses, white lilies and chamomiles, pale pink tulips. Small and large paper hearts. Less commonly - balls. Even less often-the constitution, posters and photos of journalist Irina Slavina, who in October 2020 burned herself at the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Nizhny Novgorod.

- I believe that we have the right to peaceful protest. What is happening now is not normal, ”says one of the participants. Svetlana Shubina is a lawyer and recently defended the detainees in the court on January 23, in which she herself took part. “A huge number of people were then detained illegally,” Svetlana is sure. And complains of "degradation" of law enforcement and judicial systems.

However, for Shubina, this is not the only reason to get into a “chain of solidarity” - the woman emphasizes that she is very worried about the future of her two children.

“I believe that perhaps this [action] is inefficient in terms of influence on the political situation in the country,” says Svetlana. - But this is effective in terms of communication between people. So that people understand that they are not alone and that they can express their opinion.

Not far from Svetlana with a white ribbon in her hands is the blogger of Alexander Mitroshin. She is one of those who publicly called for the release of Alexei Navalny when they were detained at the airport after returning from Germany.

“I really began to express my position much brighter in recent months,” Medezhina says Medusa. -This is due to the fact that for me personally the actions of the state crossed some kind of border. And I was no longer enough to talk about it occasionally.

Mitroshina says that she is outraged by the pursuit of those who disagree with the authorities. But she decided to participate in the action in order to first of all express solidarity "with all women who, to one degree or another, suffer from illegal actions of the state." “Of course, I'm scared, but what to do? Sit and be silent? " She adds.

Mitroshina immediately notes that the participants in the “chains of solidarity” are unlikely to be detained. On “female actions” this happens less often than at ordinary rallies, she is sure. And it suggests: "Maybe because we are not taken seriously."

A few police officers really hold on to the participants in the action and only observe. Otherwise, activists of the SERB movement, known for their provocations against the opposition.

Activists come close to the girls and provoke those for disputes.

“We thought she was pretty, and she is a lesbian,” one of them says about a girl in a voluminous pink suit, while not addressing anyone specifically.

- Back off! Back off! - In response, women chant.

“Serbians” do not leave and only mimicide: “One! Two! Three! Once! Two! Three!"

Soon, a man with glasses with green glasses and a helmet with the inscription "NATO" come to the aid of the provocateurs. “We need your resource. We need your coal, oil, gas, diamonds. We give you this very secure paper in return, ”he says with a false accent, waving fake dollars.

The participants of the action are indignant in response - they say that they are protesting sincerely. Someone even grabs bills from the hands of a man and tears them into small pieces.

“Topchi, muffling,” one of the girls, jumping on the spot from the cold, calls away.

- Shame! Disgrace! - the crowd joins.

“Girls, we are nearby, you just say“ shame ”, and we will come,” the man responds in the “NATO” helmet.

Members of the youth “volunteer company” of the Providious Veteran Movement “Battle Brotherhood”-a group of guys of about 16-20 with already fading red roses in their hands came to Arbat.

They refuse to speak with the Medusa correspondent and even move a little to the side, but one - he looks the youngest - he still explains that the volunteers were at the monument to Pushkin and Goncharova. Here, according to him, the “company” annually holds its action by February 14 - gives women flowers.

Later, when those standing in the “chain” begin to freeze, it turns out that the “company” action is much wider - and on the day of all the lovers women are also distributed to sweets, tea and even rugs. However, most protesters refuse gifts.

“This is from a pure heart,” the volunteers insist.

- From which? Kremlin? - with a mockery, a woman with his cheeks reddened from frost.

After an hour and a half from the beginning of the “Chain” action, it is slightly thinning, but the slogans sound only more confident. “Freedom is political prisoner!”, “Russia will be free”, “Julia Navalny, you and I are!” And "Love is stronger than fear!" - Female voices are heard.

A small package filled with small paper hearts and sweets is transmitted through the “chain”.

“This is a symbol that love will win the dictatorship,” one of the girls explains to reporters.

“Girls, they will bring coffee now,” another says cheerfully.

This news is perceived by the participants with enthusiasm. In anticipation, they shift from foot to foot, jump still, or run away to the nearest pharmacy and a souvenir store for a short time to warm themselves.

A few passers -by at the protesters look with curiosity. Some - mainly men - even enter into a dispute, trying to prove to the girls that they should give birth, and not express their civic position.

But there are those who support the chain. When a man passing by folds his fingers in a heart, women smile at him and applaud.

“I recently had a friend in St. Petersburg for ten days in a special -reception, it was strange after that not to go out [to the action],” says the guy, who introduced himself to Medusa Rama. He is one of the few men who got into the “chain”, this does not bother him. The Ram is sure that this action is “important” and “successful initiative”.

- The most interesting thing is when the protest takes different forms. The more different forms, the better. For someone, to reach a rally, which was January 31, for example, is problematic. But going out today is much calmer. Either go out a flashlight, or something else, ”he argues.

The young man has been participating in protests for the past few years. And during this time he came to the conclusion that quick changes in the country are even “not the most important”.

“The solidarity and a sense of separation of common values ​​change life very much and allow you to find support,” explains Ram. - Therefore, the shares still need to be continued. And in order not to go into pessimism, it is good to make them different, not to focus on the same rallies.

Having stood in the cold for two hours, the protesters decide to finish the action. They turn off the white tape, collect cups and stray balls. They leave flowers at the monument, thank each other and finally diverge. Soon, the nearest streets are left by police and the Russian Guard - on Arbat they did not even detain anyone.

Kristina Safonova