The situation cannot even be compared with the one in Moscow. In Moscow, Kadyrov Street appeared in a completely unlawful way, but at least there was some political rationale behind it.
Kadyrov Sr. was killed, and such a symbolic gesture—a street in Moscow named after him—seemed important to Putin as a way of keeping the situation under control. A signal to Chechens about how important it all was, and so on.
In other words, it was outrageous and offensive, but it made sense to those who made that decision.
But in the case of St. Petersburg, there is no sense or rationale whatsoever. It is purely an act of mockery and ritual humiliation.
It is a real-life reenactment of the stereotypical scene of the St. Petersburg bespectacled intellectual and the boor on the tram. He can do it, so he does. Spit, hit, shove someone out of their seat, and cackle. For fun—and so that the other bespectacled intellectuals know their place and do not mumble, “excuuuse me...”
I will not even state the obvious and list the names of the truly great residents of St. Petersburg whose memory has not been commemorated anywhere on the city map—all of them will be passed over in favor of Kadyrov.
People absolutely should come to today’s rally, “Against Kadyrov Bridge,” at Marsovo Pole (Field of Mars) at 7:00 p.m.
Come—and among other things, make this promise to the authorities: this issue will unite city residents and become the central theme of campaigning against United Russia in the upcoming elections. Not a single vote from city residents should go to any politician who does not clearly and explicitly speak out against “Kadyrov Bridge.” All parties and all candidates must draw the line according to this principle.
If the governor and United Russia want to take part in this act of humiliating the city’s residents, then in the fall there will be a small chance to make them pay for it.