500 Rally in Moscow Demanding Putin's Resignation

[Elmore Furth]

Source: Associated Press

Published: October 23, 2010
Filed at 9:52 a.m. ET

MOSCOW (AP) — Some 500 people rallied in central Moscow on Saturday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and political reform.

Opposition activists from left-wing and liberal groups gathered at the statue of the 19th-century Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, known for his anti-government stance, in a rare opposition protest allowed by the Moscow authorities.

Former chess champion turned opposition leader Garry Kasparov and activists from other political groups demanded the dismissal of Putin and his government, whom protesters blame for economic problems and lack of political freedoms in Russia.

"I don't think the regime will last long, but every day it stays it causes tremendous damage for Russia," Kasparov told The Associated Press.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/10/23/world/europe/AP-EU-Russia-Protest-Rally.html?ref=news

[ensho]

1. wow - good for them

nt

[wordpix]

2. just read an article in WaPo about Russian environmentalists trying to stop a new highway

Things are happening there.

[madrchsod]

3. 500 russians mysteriously disappeared yesterday..

[ensho]

4. I was thinking the same - what brave people they are

nt

[madrchsod]

5. kind`a puts us to shame.....

[gateley]

9. Yeah, no kidding - he's scary and VERY powerful. nt

[bluedigger]

6. 500?!

Who knew Russia had a Tea Party? :shrug:



I wonder if you can see Alaska from there?

[aquart]

7. 500? Did he laugh?

[cowcommander]

8. Never gonna happen, Russians are too used to a central, authoritarian leadership

The Putin/Medvedev co-rulership currently has 80% approval, and Putin is still seen as a symbol of stability in Russian politics. And Putin LOVES power, he's not going to give it up without a fight.

[provis99]

10. only 500? the Russians must be as apathetic as us.

I doubt we could even get 500 to protest raising the retirement age to 70.

[micraphone]

11. In a regime as powerful as Putins's

.. 500 is a worry to a de facto dictator.

Watch for unfortunate accidents.

Like when flying in a small plane on a clear day (or night).

[Posteritatis]

12. They're more likely intimidated, not apathetic. (nt)

[go west young man]

13. Some of the comments in this thread are ridiculous.

Listen up as Ali G loves to say. Russians love Putin. Russia is stable under Putin.
Russia is changing at a rapid rate. Russians have fancy new things. Amazing
shopping malls. Nice new cars. Amazing fashion. Exotic new restaurants with
fantastic service. Highly educated young people who are motivated and speak
multiple languages. Russia is on the upswing. They have lots of oil and gas and
sell it to Europe. Russia is changing. I've been over 6 times. Every time I go it
improves. You can see it yearly. 500 protesters is a farce. Come on DU educate
yourselves somewhat before spewing the tired old line about the former
Soviet Union. As the saying goes "Eta Russia". It is New Russia.