The best way to see that those supposedly huge levels of support for the authorities do not actually exist is to hold a rally in Kemerovo Region.
This is my second time here in a month. I was in Kemerovo, and today I am in Novokuznetsk. It is a very important industrial region, with an urban agglomeration of 1.3 million people. Having votes and support here matters.
But here is the thing. According to the official figures, Putin has 93% here, Governor Tuleyev has 98%, and the United Russia mayor has 90%. So, obviously, everyone is supposedly on the side of the authorities.
And of course, no one would come to an opposition rally, especially when people are forbidden to attend, volunteers’ tires are slashed, students are intimidated, and special Saturday classes are arranged. And on top of that, it is cold. What kind of rally could you possibly have?
No rally will come of it:
I do not know what Kremlin polling claims, but the largest political rally in Novokuznetsk in many years took place today, and they were definitely not supporting Putin there.
So I do not know where those sky-high Putin percentages are supposed to be. I did not find them in Novokuznetsk; all I found were wonderful people demanding the decent life they deserve.
Many thanks to everyone who came. It turned into a great rally, it was inspiring to be with you, and I am very grateful for such a warm welcome. Kuzbass is with us.
Tomorrow I will be in the opposite part of the country — in Kaliningrad. The rally there is supposed to take place at a private venue: 83 Moskovsky Prospekt (landmark: the Moskovsky supermarket). A local businessman rented us the site, but I do not know what the local authorities are doing to him — maybe pulling out his nails with pliers — but some kind of problems with the venue have started.
The city administration was kind enough to offer us a nearby site. So we now have two possible options, and the meeting will definitely take place. The campaign headquarters is dealing with the organizational issues now and will definitely sort them out. Come along: 3:00 p.m., 83 Moskovsky Prospekt.
And, my dear friends, you can see for yourselves: we are the only ones running a real campaign. We are actually reaching out to people and fighting for votes, not just creating the appearance of activity. This campaign is only possible because of your support. Please keep giving it. We are using what you donate responsibly.