Russian rallies urge Putin not to run again; dozens arrested

My guess is Russia will make the usual claim that the protesters are violent or Nazis or put forward by a group or person with nefarious intentions. Seems about par for the course. He's like a Republican in that sense. Oh, people are protesting? They must be paid...since no one would ever protest me.

Personally, I hope Putin stays. He limits Russia's potential, especially their economy and their allies, which restricts their ability to project Russian interests across the globe. And since he's a dictator and controls the media he will be able to stay in power as long as he wants, with or without the support of the Russian people, so we can expect probably another decade of Russians holding themselves back.

Hey Mr. Billionaire, how about we just let the voters decide.

Hasn't Putin already done that for you?

The whole world sees on video Russian FSB and police round up beat and arrest by force peaceful protesters against the dictator Putin. The world sees again and again how repressive this regime is. Peaceful protests are not allowed as this is not a democratic state its a totalitarian dictatorship 17 years and counting!! Pictures and videos do not lie..everyone sees how evil Russia is to its own citizens!! No one will stand in Putins or the Kremlins way as they will be assassinated, jailed and beaten up . AS Russia's economy is in shambles its morals and ethics are gone now. Its a fascist state now.

@SuperLib

the usual claim that the protesters are violent or Nazis or put forward by a group or person with nefarious intentions

Read the article carefully: "Open Russia, an organization started by Kremlin foe Mikhail Khodorkovsky". The man who used to run his oil company as a mafia organization and whose handymen were responsible for murders of several officials who were not very responsive to Khodorkovsky's demands. As if Capone staged a rally "Open America".

I hope Putin stays. He limits Russia's potential, especially their economy

Very intriguing statement. Figures tell the opposite. In 2000, before Putin came to power, Russian GNP was 973 bil.USD, in 2015 it was 3,47 tril. In 2000 Russia had barely 12 bil USD in gold and foreign currency reserves, in 2015 ih had 540 bil. (now even more, and they increasing the amount of gold while getting rid of US treasures). In 2000 Russian national debt was 159 bil., in 2016 it was 50 bil. (and tell me the size of national debts of G7 countries, especially US). Obviously the Russians who support Putin in record numbers are completely unaware that he "limits Russia's potential". May be they know something you don't know?

@CrazyJoe

The whole world sees on video Russian FSB and police round up beat and arrest by force peaceful protesters against the dictator Putin

The whole world saw on video US police round up, beat, shoot and arrest by force peaceful protesters from Ferguson and Occupy Wall Street movement. What about democracy in the US and other countries whare police use force?

democracy in Russia is dead

Post-Gorbachev Russia flirted with democracy, but Russians quickly reverted to another authoritarian system. Maybe there's something in their cultural DNA that makes them want to be ruled by a strong armed tyrant. The tsars, Stalin and now Putin through at least 2024? Opposition smashed by the state? Democracy was probably dead on arrival.

So much for freedom of speech and assembly. Oops, that's in a free country, not Russia.

"Post-Gorbachev Russia flirted with democracy, but Russians quickly reverted to another authoritarian system."

The Russians had an awful lot of "help" from western neoliberals intent on auctioning off their state assets. Read chapter 11 in Naomi Klein's devastating Shock Doctrine. Actually, here's a link to the entire text--it's chapter 11:

https://archive.org/stream/fp_Naomi_Klein-The_Shock_Doctrine/Naomi_Klein-The_Shock_Doctrine_djvu.txt

Sorry folks a few hundred hooligans on the street don't decide elections, the people do.

Anybody who demonstrates against the government = automatically hooligans

Remember that the next time hooligans demonstrate against Abe or against the US bases in Okinawa

@zichi

So what! In 1990, the gross national income in PPP dollars in 1990 for UK was just under $1trillion raising to $2.6 trillion in 2015. For Germany in 1990 it was $1.5 trillion rising to $3.9 trillion in 2015.

So what? You just confirmed my thesis that Russia is good shape, thanks a lot. Don't forget that UK and Germany did not suffer from economical chaos in 90s as Russia did under guidance of American advisors. That makes Russian growth in 2000s even more remarkable. And you forgot about national debt - in UK it's 1,5 tril, in Germany it's 2,2 tril. Russia lives within its means - contrary to the West, where even grandchildren are already up to their ears in debt.

There should be freedom of expression and speech, just like in any democracy

Yes, yes, tell it to the people from Occupy Wall Street movement or other rallies that were brutally dispersed by the police.

He is not a hooligan nor are the majority of Russians who want to protest against Putin.

Even on the photos from this JN article there more media then anti-putin activists. Only in your fake news there are "mass demonstrations".

@zichi

In Russia anti-Putin opposition is so negligible that there is no need to do anything with it. That's why they are so desperate to get attention from the West. And the right to assemble is intact in Russia, at least the police there do not shoot people like in Fergusonn (hello, democratic right to protest!!)

On Saturday thousands demonstrated across Russia.

Proof? Even on this JN photo there are more media then protesters. Even pro-Putin activists are more active. Demonstrations are not banned, they only should be held at places and time where they do not interfere with everyday life. Anti-Putin demonstrators deliberatly violate the rule in order to get Western attention and support.

The post is about Russia

Oh, yes, I see! That's the reason why you write here about Germany and UK and write about Putin even on thread about French elections.

On Saturday in Tokyo and other cities there were demonstrations to mark May 1, International Workers Day. They weren't prevented and no one was arrested in constast to what happens these days in Russia

Watch TV news from Moscow on May 1. The demonstrations on the Red Square are huge, and everybody welcome.

Read carefully my previous post, I repeat for you: Demonstrations are not banned, they only should be held at places and time where and when they do not interfere with everyday life. Get permission and demonstrate as you pleased.

Do you think that here in Japan demonstrations without permission are allowed? Try to do it, for example at Nagatacho or at Tokyo-eki, and you are for a very big surprise.

The opinion of the average Russian on Putin isn't very relevant. Putin is staying whether you like him or not.

@zichi

And does that include Gay Pride Parades too?

It includes all kinds of demonstrations.

Why is a single person on their own arrested for wearing a Putin face mask?

If I remember correctly, he did it on the Red Square, and all kinds of public performances are banned there, it's just like the place near the Emperor's palace in Tokyo. Can you imagine a clown's show at Nijubashi? In Moscow there are a lot of public places where this guy could wear Putin's mask 24/7.

@SuperLib

The opinion of the average Russian on Putin isn't very relevant. Putin is staying whether you like him or not.

Even Western polling agencies admit that approval rating of Putin is around 85 percent. It seems the average Russian has his favorite. The West just has to shut up and leave other nations choose their leaders.

Russia a police state, there is no way to hide it now and it's not that they are trying to hide it. You are free from legal oppression if you mind your own well-being with a complete disregard for a global picture Russian keeps adding red to. Unless you start rallying and "disrupting public order", the only concern for your well-being would be Russians themselves and the foreign people who are out there for your possessions, pride as a human being, or, ultimately, life.

@Naumov Danila

Russia a police state, there is no way to hide it now and it's not that they are trying to hide it.

Washington Post's editorial?

@zichi

In June 2012, Moscow courts enacted a hundred-year ban on gay pride parades

Can't you see the difference between the state government and municipal authorities? Moscow banned the event because Moscovites were overwhelmengly against it. Democracy in action.

Did you enjoy the footage of May 1 demonstration in Moscow? I bet there were much more people then in Tokyo.

So I seethe President Putin had no power over the mayor of Moscow.

LOL!!! So you admit he is not a dictator?

Seriously, you seem to have no idea how branches of power work. President take over power in the country capital in case of emergencies, everyday business is run by mayor. Educate yourself.

As you know since you live here, May 1 isn’t a national holiday.Not demonstrations

All wrong, as usual with your assumptions. May 1 is a national holiday, with demonstrations. That one was yesterday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dynP3m03GgA

My advice to you: before writing on something study the subject.

Russians will be nobody in this world if Russia is not run by Mr.Putin. This is what these people refused to believe and choose not to believe and paranoid to believe!