Did you get your protest approved?

The right of freedom of speech is a right held dear in America. We practice this right in protests and public gatherings, in the news and in newspapers. Our ability to have peacefully led protests with millions of people gathered is a luxury not afforded in other areas of the world.

In Russia this past week and weekend, thousands marched the streets of Moscow and other cities. This protest was the largest anti-government focused march Russian citizens had held in years. The uprising was organized by Alexei Navalny. Navalny is a famous Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist. He became well-known in 2008, with his blog posts on alleged malpractice and corruption in big state-controlled corporations in Russia. He led a campaign in opposition to United Russia, naming them the party of “crooks and thieves.” Highly disliked by the ruling party and law enforcement, he has faced many legal issues in Russia. However, he continues to spread his revolutionary ideas, sparking a fire in the younger generations of Russia.

Navalny, in the most recent protest, served as its catalyst, bringing thousands of people to march in demand of a solution to the issues of state corruption. The people want reform to uproot the corruption in Russian business. The movement is said to “largely reflect the disillusion of the younger generation fed up with endemic corruption, inequality and lack of accountability and opportunities.” The power of the younger generation and their discontent with the Russian government has powered protesters through the defenses imposed by the government.

Following the anti-government protests in 2011, a law was implemented that requires formal permission for all protests by Russian citizens. On this past Friday, Russian police had released a threat to protesters. Because the mass gathering was not proposed to the City Hall in Moscow, citizens do not have the right to march. Police spun it as a safety measure, stating “Law enforcement agencies will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of residents and visitors of the capital.” The police have made true on their threat. Thus far, hundreds of citizens have been detained, Navalny included. Freedom of speech, practiced through protests, is not a right for Russian citizens. The protests continue to persist, despite more and more citizens being detained in response to this practice of a speech.

1. Bowman, E. (2017, March 26). Russians Take To The Streets In Nationwide Anti-Government Protests. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/03/26/521594477/russians-take-to-the-streets-in-nationwide-anti-government-protests

2. Alexei Navalny: Russia's vociferous opposition leader. (2017, February 08). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-16057045