Containment obliges, the Russian opposition is demonstrating on the internet

Text by: RFI Follow

While containment measures in Russia will be extended for at least two weeks, the opposition criticizes the authorities for not doing enough to support the economy. So she organized an event on the internet.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Moscow, Daniel Vallot

On the screen, the first responder appears, but the sound does not work. It will take almost a quarter of an hour to resolve the technical problems and the start of the event, broadcast on YouTube and social networks.

Installed in his living room, Dmitri Gudkov, former deputy, deprived of election to Moscow last summer, claims financial compensation for all the Russians who lost their jobs because of the coronavirus: "  Today, the whole world acts this way. The United States and European countries spend hundreds of millions of dollars to help their fellow citizens. In Russia it is the opposite: our regime is incapable of acting, despite colossal financial reserves. Power drops people instead of helping them!  " 

On the left of the screen, the speakers speak, on the right scroll the messages of support and the slogans. This new way of demonstrating has become essential in the eyes of Tatiana Ousmanova, member of the opposition movement Open Russia. "  Because of the confinement, this is the only way to bring people together. The citizens of our country must be able to express themselves, and listen to personalities who do not agree with the authorities. In Russia, this is the first time that a virtual demonstration of this magnitude has been organized  . ” 

Tatiana Ousmanova said it is unlikely that the Russian authorities will allow street rallies in the coming months. Even when the containment measures are lifted, she tells us. Despite difficult technical beginnings, this new type of virtual mobilization therefore probably has a bright future ahead of it.

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