I like the idea that those voting against Putin should come to the polling stations at the same time, at 12 noon. Noon against Putin. This could be a powerful demonstration of the country’s mood. Real, living voters against the fiction of “electronic voting.” Real people standing in line to vote against Putin vs. fake, fabricated votes “for” him. Most importantly, this would be a genuine nationwide protest action across Russia, taking place not just in every city, but in every district of every city. Political action in the real world, not on the internet. This protest action is completely legal and safe. More than that, the authorities themselves are inviting people to take part in it and are even organizing pie sales there. It is virtually impossible to obstruct this action. What are they going to do? Close the polling stations at 12:00? Organize a counter-action, “10 a.m. for Putin”? Record everyone who comes at noon and put them on a list of unreliable citizens? Turnout is high at 12 noon anyway, there are lots of people, and it is simply impossible to single out those voting “against.” This will be a nationwide protest against Putin taking place right next to your home. It is accessible to everyone, everywhere. Millions will be able to take part. And tens of millions will witness it. The author of this idea is Maxim Reznik @maximreznikliberal, a former deputy of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly and a longtime friend of mine. Politician Yulia Galyamina @jugaliamina is also actively promoting it now. They’re doing great work. We are ready to support the action actively, and in the meantime I have asked Maxim Reznik to organize coalition backing for it. I have already said that simply showing up for these elections and voting against Putin is not really fighting him — it is self-deception. In fact, that is exactly what Putin wants from you: come and vote however you like (Pamfilova the witch will fix everything anyway), but do nothing else. Tell yourself that this means you are “fighting.” That is why, in this campaign, persuading others matters more than voting. Without your personal campaigning against Putin, your personal vote against him means very little. It only begins to matter when some number of people around you — two, five, ten — know that you are against him, that you are going to vote against Putin and the war, and that you are calling on everyone else to do the same. (To be continued in the carousel)