London, (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Russian authorities have up to today arrested more than 13.000 antiwar protesters. More than 2.000 have been arrested in Moscow. Thousand of protesters have said “no to war” and “shame on you” reportedly, according to videos posted on social media. The authorities have also proceeded in checking civilians’ phones in order to make sure they are not using or posting on social media.
“The screws are being fully tightened — essentially we are witnessing military censorship,” Maria Kuznetsova, OVD-Info’s spokesperson, said by telephone from Tbilisi, Georgia.”We are seeing rather big protests today, even in Siberian cities where we only rarely saw such numbers of arrests.”
“We are seeing rather big protests today, even in Siberian cities, where we only rarely saw such numbers of arrests.”Daulet Abylkasymov, a protest organizer, told the rally that their demonstration “is not against the Russian people but is against Putin.
” It also is apparent that the Russian Church is supporting president Putin’s decision and attack on Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, said Russian values were being tested by the West, which offered only excessive consumption and the illusion of freedom.
Demonstrations also took place outside Russia, including in India and Kazakhstan after jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny called for worldwide protests against the war.
Anti-war demonstrations take place all over Europe
At the same time, hundreds of demonstrations took place in Europe with the active participation of thousands of protesters. Countless protesters took to the streets of Spanish cities in solidarity with the Ukrainian people whose freedom have been taken away. “In Barcelona, I can go out to the street and express myself, but in my country, I can’t… because unfortunately, it has consequences”, one protester said.
In Berlin, protesters marched through the city asking for an end to the atrocities inflicted on Ukraine. Thousands of protesters gathered in Lyon to show their support for Kyiv, including Ukrainian students living in the city showing support from afar. “Because we’re far away from our families and our country, we want to do something from here, to give our help and support to our country,” one student said.