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Russian opposition adopts plan for protests, schedules main one for May 6

The Coordination Council also decided to resume “Moscow walks” with white symbols on April 13, 20 and 27
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, March 16 (Itar-Tass) – The Russian opposition’s Coordination Council has approved a plan of spring protests and scheduled the main one for May 6.

The document includes an event in the centre of Moscow on April 6 on the occasion of Day of United Actions for Liberation of Political Prisoners.

On April 7-20, the opposition will be observing Days of Political Prisoners, each of which will be devoted to one of the persons charged with participation in mass riots in Moscow’s Bolotnaya Square on May 6, 2012.

Pyotr Tsarkov, a member of the Coordination Council, said there are plans to disseminate information about persons facing criminal penalties, including their situation in prisons and penitentiary facilities, and their families.

“During these days we will be collecting letters and postcards for them and donations,” he added.

His colleague Sergei Parkhomenko said several well-known journalists, writers and cultural figures would take part in these events.

The Coordination Council also decided to resume “Moscow walks” with white symbols on April 13, 20 and 27.

The main event is to take place in Bolotnaya Square on May 6. Its format is under discussion now. Some members of the Coordination Council insist that it should be a march and a rally. The Council’s working group suggests holding only a rally since May 6 is a working day and it is unlikely that the city authorities would give their consent to a march on that day.

The event will be titled “For Freedom” and will largely focus on the fate of those whom the opposition considers political prisoners. The Coordination Council is also planning to set up 24-hour pickets in Manezh Square by the Kremlin on May 1-5 in the run up to the event.