Toy Protest Pushes Limits of Russian Opposition to Putin
- 12 years ago
For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.com
Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision
Add us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2C
Russian protesters set up toys carrying banners against Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. They're taking this unconventional approach because demonstrations have been banned ahead of the March 4 presidential election.
They were denied an official permit by officials in the Russian city of Barnaul, but stuffed animals and other toys seemed to hold a protest anyway.
The protesters are calling for a rerun of the disputed December State Duma elections and an end to the rule of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The absurd protest, made even more so by city authorities' rejection on the basis of toys not being legal citizens, was the latest of several in the southern Siberian city.
[Sergei Mamayev, Toy Protest Organizer]:
"We used to hold the nano rally, and each citizen came with his own toy and wrote whatever he thought was necessary. And now, I still have these toys, so I've put them there. We wanted to hold another officially-sanctioned rally, but the authorities are apparently afraid of the toys and they don't allow it."
Though the execution is humorous, the organiser says this and other "nano rallies", carry a big message.
[Sergei Mamayev, Toy Protest Organizer]:
"This meeting is expressing the opinion of not only toys, but the population of our whole Russia, a huge country. Now, (the rally is) against the current authorities, the people who in fact have seized power in Russia."
The protest highlights the restrictions faced by Russians wanting to protest the December 4 parliamentary elections.
People are allowed to protest by themselves, but need permission to rally in bigger groups.
A tiny banner reading "President - Don't confuse your interests with the interests of the people" was perched next to a stuffed cow, while a toy policewoman held a sign...
Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision
Add us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2C
Russian protesters set up toys carrying banners against Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. They're taking this unconventional approach because demonstrations have been banned ahead of the March 4 presidential election.
They were denied an official permit by officials in the Russian city of Barnaul, but stuffed animals and other toys seemed to hold a protest anyway.
The protesters are calling for a rerun of the disputed December State Duma elections and an end to the rule of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The absurd protest, made even more so by city authorities' rejection on the basis of toys not being legal citizens, was the latest of several in the southern Siberian city.
[Sergei Mamayev, Toy Protest Organizer]:
"We used to hold the nano rally, and each citizen came with his own toy and wrote whatever he thought was necessary. And now, I still have these toys, so I've put them there. We wanted to hold another officially-sanctioned rally, but the authorities are apparently afraid of the toys and they don't allow it."
Though the execution is humorous, the organiser says this and other "nano rallies", carry a big message.
[Sergei Mamayev, Toy Protest Organizer]:
"This meeting is expressing the opinion of not only toys, but the population of our whole Russia, a huge country. Now, (the rally is) against the current authorities, the people who in fact have seized power in Russia."
The protest highlights the restrictions faced by Russians wanting to protest the December 4 parliamentary elections.
People are allowed to protest by themselves, but need permission to rally in bigger groups.
A tiny banner reading "President - Don't confuse your interests with the interests of the people" was perched next to a stuffed cow, while a toy policewoman held a sign...