The group's aim Sunday was to have a flashmob enter the famous square wearing white ribbons, the color adopted as a symbol by the opposition movement. But would-be participants were unable to enter the square, told by police who had encircled the area that it had been "closed for repairs."
The opposition now plans to hold a similarly themed event on Sunday inside metro station Ploshchad Revolyutsii, situated under Red Square.
"In a week's time, we will stage a flashmob #WhiteMetro: we will decorate metro station Ploshchad Revolyutsii (and also its neighbors Okhotny Ryad and Teatralnaya) with white ribbons, flowers, stickers, balloons, signs and girls dressed in white," the group wrote on its Facebook page.
Eighty-five people were arrested on Sunday at the unsanctioned rally outside Red Square when demonstrators attempted to move the event to the Zero Kilometer monument on neighboring Manezh Square, RIA-Novosti reported. Those detained included a correspondent of online television channel Dozhd. All 85 had been released as of Monday morning.
The opposition group, which did not say whether it had applied to City Hall for permission to hold the White Metro event, wrote that protesters should not worry about police.
"Don't hesitate because of police — you can also decorate them with flowers and ribbons," the group wrote.
By midday Monday, more than 450 Facebook users had indicated that they would attend the event.
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.
Remind me later.
