In Tambov, I think a record has been set. We were turned down by 17 venues suitable for holding the meeting. One of them had even said beforehand, “We’re definitely not afraid of anything,” — and took an advance payment.
But it turned out even better. We held the meeting in a warehouse hangar at a wholesale depot owned by a supporter.
It worked out really well.
The local authorities proved so pathetic and miserable that, not knowing how else to disrupt our meeting, they ended up cutting the power to the entire depot.
It didn’t hinder us in the slightest. If anything, it only fired up the volunteers.
And in Ryazan, everything went excellently and peacefully. Lots of volunteers, a decent venue. At the start of the meeting, some bikers, Cossacks (members of a traditional paramilitary community), and a couple of students with a “Maidan Shall Not Pass” sign turned up, but no matter how much I invited them into the hall to speak, they refused and quickly left.
It was a wonderful meeting — I was glad to see everyone.
Thanks to the teams that organized the meetings. Thanks to all the volunteers.
Join us.