Thousands of Russians march in protest over Vladimir Putin and the economy

UK Telegraph ^ | January 31, 2009 | Adrian Blomfield in Vladivostok

[Parmenio]

The biggest display of public disaffection with Russia's normally popular prime minister prompted a violent response in Moscow, the capital.

Pro Kremlin youths brutally beat some protestors, while others were detained, including Eduard Limonov, a prominent Kremlin critic and leader of the outlawed National Bolshevik Party.

But the largest turnout was in Vladivostok, the focal point of anti-government protests over the past six weeks.

A protest march led by Communist party officials and civil rights leaders was allowed to go ahead at the last minute in an apparent change of heart by the Kremlin. A rally last month was violently dispersed by riot police, and over 200 people were detained.

The march was sanctioned on the condition that demonstrators kept off the road, carried no banners and chanted no slogans.

The marchers blithely ignored the restrictions. Marching down the city's main street, they chanted "Putin resign!". Some banners compared even compared the prime minister to Hitler.

Although only several hundred began the march, ordinary passersby applauded in encouragement as they passed and many even joined them. By the time the demonstrators reached their finishing point in a square dominated by a statue of Lenin, their number had swelled to nearly 2,000.

The head of the National Bolshevik Party, Eduard Limonov, is arrested by police in Moscow

[Parmenio]

I think this is only the beginning of civil unrest in many countries. We've seen riots and demonstrations in Greece, Latvia, France and Russia. It's going to get alot worse in alot of places. And we have Obama. Heaven help us!

[benjibrowder]

If Celente is to be believed, its going to happen here too.

Sooner rather than later.

[GOPGuide]

“I think this is only the beginning of civil unrest in many countries.”

I’m worried most about Pakistan.

Oh, and the US could see some unrest as well.

[hermgem]

It's going to happen here too?
Not as long as Obama gets away with promises and revisions.
He just told us it will take years, and at the same token changed his prognosis of 4 million jobs in the next two years to 3 million over years.
Circle-talk, spin, the more talk the lower goes memory.
His sorry media friends will stand up and cover for him.

[BobS]

"Oh, and the US could see some unrest as well."

Not so sure about that. Gun shops are getting sold out of goods. The maufacturers can't make weapons fast enough, or even ammunition.

When Mexico collapses this year, just shoot to kill anything that crosses the border. Even a mouse or a bird.

[BobS]

I hope Obama has the SS agents close to him at all times. There are wackos out there among regular angry people. I want Obama to be as healthy as he can be. Play basketball with the SS Guys.

[ak267]

Iceland is the first to collaspe.

[BobS]

Pakistan will collapse first. Iceland can decouple itself and be independent.

[Parmenio]

Unfortunately it looks like Iceland is being fast-tracked into the EU. They may not be coming back.

[RolandOfGilead]

Pro Kremlin youths brutally beat some protestors, while others were detained, including Eduard Limonov, a prominent Kremlin critic and leader of the outlawed National Bolshevik Party. (...) A protest march led by Communist party officials and civil rights leaders was allowed to go ahead at the last minute in an apparent change of heart by the Kremlin.

So, Communists and Bolsheviks are protesting against the Putin government? The same one that freepers often accuse of being "commie" itself?

[1rudeboy]

Fuzzy logic, I see. Mistake, yours to correct.

[Thunder90]

Civil Unrest could lead to leaders trying to placate their people by starting wars with others. This is precisely what happened in the leadup to World War II

[Thunder90]

Putin is still a closet communist in the Brezhnev/Andropov style. However, the communists that were protesting were Stalinists.