It always happens like this: first you can’t sleep because all night long, right next to your cozy little "monkey cage" (slang for a holding cell) at the Yakimanka police station, some drunk troublemakers—men and women hauled in from clubs at Red October (a well-known Moscow nightlife venue)—keep shrieking. Then you can’t sleep because you’re having a wonderful walk through nighttime Moscow in the best possible company (it was SO great, just an unforgettable night):
And then, when you finally get home, your neighbor starts drilling into the wall. And somehow, by some cunning method, he keeps moving around so that he’s always drilling right next to you, at head level.
Anyway, that’s not the point—I’m writing to say that right now in Moscow, somewhere between Ilyinsky Square (by the Monument to the Heroes of Plevna) and the Boulevard Ring (from Chistye Prudy to Pushkinskaya), our cheerful indefinite roaming protest camp of several hundred people is out there. More people keep arriving.
That’s right. Twenty minutes ago it was at Chistye Prudy; the Kremlin crooks sent in the OMON riot police, and the camp moved on to Kitay-Gorod.
So that’s today’s tactic: we stand peacefully, bother no one, and enjoy life and springtime Moscow. If they drive us away, we move. If they detain us, we sit in the police station for our 3–5 hours (you won’t be abandoned—lawyers head out to everyone immediately) and then come right back.
Moscow has plenty of squares and parks, and the nights are warm.
Coordination is happening on the ground. You can find out some things through my Twitter.
This is very important: don’t sit at home in front of the TV/iPad—help everyone, and help yourself too.
Come. If you can, come for a full day; if not, then for a few hours. Relieve someone who has spent a sleepless night in the mobile camp.
Bring rain ponchos, something to sit/lie on, blankets, hot tea, food, and something for entertainment (a ball, badminton, musical instruments (banjo—we need a banjo!), slot machines).
No strain, no clashes—everything is very safe. If you see a provocateur, just move away from them.
The worst you risk is sitting in a police van for a little while—nothing страшного. The OMON officers will tell you their sad stories about how they were forced into it, and how of course the government is full of thieves and the country is a mess.
But in return, a flood of positive emotions and an amazing sense of shared purpose are guaranteed.
Join us—protest is fun.
P.S. If you’re not in Moscow, gather a group of 10–20 people on Facebook or VKontakte and do the same thing in your own city. It’s really not difficult at all, and people will definitely start joining in.
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