The protesters held out banners, sang songs, drew a caricature of Putin, exhibited the Russian flags, gave interviews and spread leaflets, parading the kind of freedom they say lacks in today’s Russia. It took about an hour for two employees of the Russian consulate to come out, but there was no official exchange of statements.
Public figures, such as Russian dissidents Vladimir Bukovsky and Pavel Stroilov, as well as British MEP Gerard Batten (UKIP) came to show their support.
Here’s what the protesters state in their campaign hand-out:
“Today, 31 August 2010, the Russian government has again dispersed peaceful opposition rallies in a number of cities. The protesters were severely beaten: several dozens were arrested, including prominent opposition campaigners Boris Nemtsov, Ilya Yashin, Eduard Limonov, Sergei Udaltsov, Konstantin Kosyakin and others.
Vladimir Putin has taken personal responsibility for this cruel and unlawful suppression by publicly declaring yesterday that the protesters should ‘get a whack on the head’.
The Russian opposition holds rallies on the 31st day of each month to demand the government’s compliance with Article 31 of the Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of assembly. The brutal suppression of those rallies has become traditional in today’s Russia. Putin’s government openly defies its own constitution and its obligations under the international human rights treaties.
It is time for the world community to raise its voice in support of brave Russian democrats and in condemnation of the Kremlin lawlessness. Today, we have come to the Russian embassy to demand:
RESPECT YOUR OWN CONSTITUTION.
We invite democrats of all political persuasions to joins us.”
No comments:
Post a Comment