Round two dozen protesters gathered in entrance of Russia’s consulate in Montreal on Sunday, becoming a member of sister demonstrations in cities all over the world in opposition to the detention of opposition chief Alexei Navalny, who was arrested upon his return to the nation from Germany earlier this month.
Organizer Vesta Zvedochkina stated the group had one message: “to indicate (the) Russian authorities that we’re in opposition to political suppression, and we would like them to launch all politically-arrested folks in Russia.”
Zvedochkina, who organized an identical protest in entrance of the consulate final week, stated she was impressed with the turnout given the frigid climate Sunday, with windchill making the air really feel like -17C.
Nonetheless, she stated braving the chilly of Montreal in January pales compared to the bravery proven by protesters again in Russia, the place 1000’s had been reported arrested this weekend alone.
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“Folks there who exit on the streets are actually courageous,” she stated. “For us, right here, we’re simply exhibiting and stating our opinion. Folks there actually threat their freedom after they do the identical.”
Most of the demonstrators as soon as referred to as Russia house, however stated they didn’t really feel they may return except issues there change dramatically.
Expat Youri Goussev stated he needed Russia “to be a free nation”, and expressed disappointment with what he thought of a still-unrealized promise of freedom, three a long time after the autumn of the Soviet Union. “Russia didn’t overthrow a communist dictatorship for this to occur,” he stated.
Maria Sourjko, stated her kids, whereas born in Canada, nonetheless felt a robust connection to her house nation, and wished to in the future return there. However she stated they may not return there proper now.
“We wish to have the ability to return to a free Russia, the place we will categorical ourselves and freely inform what we expect with out being persecuted,” she stated.
International Information reached out to the consulate-general of the Russian Federation in Montreal for touch upon the protest, however didn’t obtain a response by deadline.
Comparable protests happened on the identical time in entrance of Russia’s consulate in Toronto and embassy in Ottawa, in addition to in entrance of the Alberta legislature in Edmonton and close to the Vancouver Artwork Gallery.
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