Support The Moscow Times!

Opposition Plans May 6 Bolotnaya Rally

The opposition's Coordination Council on Saturday proposed a major protest on Moscow's Bolotnaya Ploshchad on May 6, exactly a year since a protest there ended with hundreds of detentions amid clashes with police.

The anniversary rally is tentatively being called "For Freedom," Interfax reported. The Coordination Council intends to apply to City Hall for the appropriate sanctions.

Twenty-one demonstrators faced criminal charges after last year's rally, where more than 400 protesters were detained.

Fifteen of those charged remain in pretrial detention, and four under house arrest. One has been sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison, and another is on an international wanted list.

In honor of those who were charged with violence against police and rioting at last year's protest, the Coordination Council is planning to hold a series of rallies throughout April.

On April 6, the council has tentatively planned a rally on Pushkin Square to collect support letters addressed to the imprisoned activists.

The council is also planning meetings with relatives of the imprisoned activists, white-ribbon walks throughout downtown Moscow, and a 24-hour single-person picket on Manezh Square.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more