So I think you'd have to be living under a rock not to know the political situation in Russia right now. Safe to say the revolutionary lava is bubbling with gusto here. All of the Muscovite's I've spoken to are outraged with the election results and they're using social media and following in the wake of the Arab Spring. The Kremlin's biggest fear is revolution. There have been protests ongoing since Monday and there's a massive demonstration planned for Saturday. The Russian people, mostly the younger generation who've benefited from the criminality of the 1990's and increasing Westernization, are finding their voices. I had a walk around Red Square and other central locations in Moscow. There's an incredible sense of tension everywhere you go. It's almost like a return to the Soviet times. Police have put up barriers blocking access to Red Square meaning you have to go through one small entrance. There is a visibly beefed police presence, and on the way to class today I saw a whole platoon of Russian 'special police' sat in buses at the side of the road.
It seems that the Kremlin's response to an irritated and restless population is to crack down and lash out. They've apparently just shut down the blackberry servers here. They don't understand freedom of expression and democracy like we do. Speaking out against the government or political practices is considered a crime. There is something inherently wrong with the Russian political mentality and has been for decades. It's a shame that all these people who desperately want and deserve change in their country are just being blocked by corruption, bureaucracy and force. But then I cannot judge them entirely due to the political faults in both my countries, they are not the angels in this situation. At least in the UK or US if you don't like something you have the right to protest and make your voice heard without fear of repression. Here in Russia demonstrating and protesting is considered a terrorist act and is illegal. Protests have to have official permission to occur and most of the time that permission is denied.
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| These were plastered on top of the State election posters, they say "elections without an opposition are a crime" and "put x for criminal power - vote against all" |
