Russians forced to attend Putins star-studded election rally

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Russians forced to attend Putin’s star-studded election rally

Tens of thousands strong-armed into attending the event, according to reports

Marc Bennetts in Moscow
Sun 4 Mar 2018 10.15 GMT

Vladimir Putin, flanked by cheering supporters, strode on to a stage in the centre of Moscow’s colossal Luzhniki Stadium and urged a crowd of tens of thousands of flag-waving Russians to join him in building a bright and joyful future for the country’s children.

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It was, on the face of it, a perfect demonstration of popular support for Putin, who is all but certain to secure another six-year term of office when Russians go to the polls on 18 March.

Multiple reports before Saturday’s rally indicated that tens of thousands of Russians had been strongarmed into attending the event. University students, state employees, and workers at private companies were among those who came under pressure, according to opposition websites and social media posts.

“Organise yourselves into groups of no less than four, and photograph yourselves when you arrive at the stadium,” read an email, seen by the Guardian, which was sent to employees of a Moscow-based company. “Don’t forget to pick up your placards on Friday!” An employee at the company said he feared his wages would be cut if he did not comply.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/04/russians-were-paid-to-attend-vladimir-putin-election-campaign-rally

[democratisphere]

1. Wonder if they will bus in deplorables for drumpf's military parade.