Russians come out for anti-KGB rallies. Senator McCain support the 'Day of Wrath' in Russia

The initiators of the All-Russia action "Day of Wrath" are the organizations of Solidarity and Federation of car owners in Russia. In several cities extra-parliamentary opposition will unite with the Communist Party, despite the fact that the party leadership opposed the alliance with Solidarity.

"I am indulgently take the words of the Communist Party leadership that we are attaching themselves to their actions - Denis Bilunov, the leader of Russia's Solidarity Organization, said to Russian Kommersant paper. - Today protest activity should be a nature of the coalition. Therein lays its effectiveness".

In many cities, according to organizers, the authorities are trying to prevent holding of rallies: in particular, problems have arisen in Moscow. Police department on the eve called the leader of the Left Front, Sergei Udaltsov, for preventive talks. Later he told that reaching compromise has failed, and the police threatened that if the action occurs as it was scheduled to be held in Pushkin Square, the participants will be detaining.

It became known the night before about closure of the website "20-th of March," which was telling about the planned protests. It was accused of extremism, Echo of Moscow radio reports.

Mass protest rally, in the All-Russia action, has already held at the central square of Vladivostok. As the correspondent of "Interfax" said from the scene on Saturday rally was supported by Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Yabloko, Fair Russia, a political movement Freedom and democracy, public organizations TIGR, Vladmama and others.

About 1,5 thousand people attended the rally. People gathered under the anti-government slogans ("Putin to resign"), as well as appeals to dismiss the leadership of the region, return election of governors and others.

Meanwhile, protests in Russia have caused a great interest in the West, particularly in the United States.

So, Senator John McCain addressed the Congress with a special message on the eve of the planned all over Russia on March 20 protests:

"We should all say a silent prayer and a public word of support for Russia's courageous human rights activists, as they make their voices heard this Saturday.

These brave men and women want the best for their country. They want a government that is not only strong but just, peaceful, inclusive, and democratic.

I urge Russia's leaders to recognize that peaceful champions of universal values are not a threat to Russia, and that groups like this should not face the kinds of violence, repression, and intimidation that Russian authorities have used against similar demonstrators in the past. The eyes of the world will be watching.

Russia is a great nation, and like all Americans of goodwill, I want Russia to be strong and successful. I want Russia's economy to be a vibrant source of wealth and opportunity for all Russians. I want Russia to play a proud and responsible role in world affairs.

And I will continue to affirm, in public and in private, that the best way for Russians to secure the things they say they care about most - reduced corruption, a strengthened and equitable rule of law, economic modernization - is by nurturing a pluralistic and free civil society, by building independent and sustainable institutions of democracy, and by respecting the human rights of all", McCain said.

Department of Monitoring,
Kavkaz Center

Source: Kavkaz Center.
Link: http://kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2010/03/20/11676.shtml.