Three ‘Other’ Protests May Say Much about Russia’s Future

Paul Goble

            Staunton, February 24 – Not surprisingly or inapprorpiately, the Russian and Western media have focused on the demonstrations across Russia in advance of the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Boris Nemtsov who was killed near the Kremlin wall on February 27, 2015, and who has become even more the focus of liberal attention than he was before his death.

            But while the Nemtsov meetings and marches overshadowed them, there were many other demonstrations this weekend, and three may say even more about Russia’s future because of what they indicate about the evolution of public opinion in this, the waning period of Vladimir Putin’s presidency.  They include:

·         Novosibirsk protesters have called for Putin’s resignation, the dismissal of the government and the proroguing of the Duma, yet another indication of the increasing radicalization of Russian feelings. Not unimportantly, the demonstration took place with the official permission, yet another shift that matters (sibreal.org/a/29786440.html).

·         A group of feminists in St. Petersburg demonstrated against the draft by saying that they were no longer prepared to breed “meat” for the powers that be to “eat,” a demonstration pictures of which have gone viral online (tvrain.ru/galleries/peterburgskie_aktivistki-480968/ and forum-msk.org/material/news/15455842.html).

·         Demonstrators in the Karelian city of Pitkyarnt carried cardboard axes and pitchforks to show that they were ready to launch “a pitiless and merciless Russian revolt” against officials they say are utterly failing to do their jobs to help the people and are only acting to line their own pockets (ehorussia.com/new/node/17973).