MOSCOW, May 6 (Itar-Tass) —— An opposition march, which started on Kaluzhskaya Square in Moscow at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, has reached Bolotnaya Square. A rally is ahead.
About 15,000 people – thrice more than expected by the organizers – are taking part in the march, judging by Itar-Tass estimates. Meanwhile, the city police counted only 8,000 participants.
People from many regions of Russia are participating in the action. They said many supporters were not permitted to come to Moscow.
Left Front activists carrying red flags, Solidarity members, anarchists and sexual minorities carrying multi-color flags are marching to Bolotnaya. They are carrying signs in protest against Vladimir Putin’s governance; the signs read “Down with Autocracy” and “Full Power to People’s Councils”. There are social slogans, too, including appeals for free healthcare.
Opposition leaders – Boris Nemtsov, Sergei Mitrokhin, Alexei Navalny, Sergei Udaltsov and Yevgenia Chirikova – are amongst the march participants. Reinforced police details are patrolling Bolotnaya Square. OMON and Interior Ministry Forces servicemen are on guard. The crew of a police helicopter hovering above the square is photographing and filming the action.