‘Corruption is stealing our pensions’ Photos of Russia's September 9 police crackdown on nationwide protests against raising the retirement age
On Sunday, September 9, supporters of the anti-corruption activist Alexey Navalny staged protests across Russia against the government’s plans to raise the country’s retirement age. In many places, demonstrators marched where local elections were taking place for city council members, mayors, and governors. Most of the protests did not have permits from town officials, and police arrested hundreds of demonstrators nationwide. Some cities even witnessed violent clashes between law enforcement and activists. Meduza presents the following photos from rallies across the country.
Novosibirsk
Valery Titievsky / Kommersant
Novosibirsk
Valery Titievsky / Kommersant
Voronezh. (Sign reads, “Our pensions are going to good causes.”)
Oleg Kharseev / Kommersant
Yekaterinburg
Anna Moiorova / URA.RU / TASS
Yekaterinburg. (Sign reads, “Cut the hypocrisy and list at last to the people of Russia!”)
Anna Moiorova / URA.RU / TASS
Yekaterinburg
Vladislav Lonshakov / Kommersant
Perm
Timur Abasov
Perm
Timur Abasov
Samara
Anar Movsumov
This photo and lost that follow are from Moscow. Signs read, “Sechin is a thief,” “Down with the tsar,” “Putin, start with yourself,” and more.
Vitaly Kavtaradze for Meduza
Vitaly Kavtaradze for Meduza
Sign reads, “When Putin speaks Navalny's name on TV, Russians will briefly rise from their knees to applaud!”
Vitaly Kavtaradze for Meduza
Yuri Kochetkov / EPA / Scanpix / LETA
Mikhail Pochuev / TASS / Scanpix / LETA
Main sign reads, “Corruption is stealing pensions”
Vitaly Kavtaradze for Meduza
Vitaly Kavtaradze for Meduza
Vitaly Kavtaradze for Meduza
Vitaly Kavtaradze for Meduza
This photo and those at follow are from St. Petersburg
Valentin Egorshin
Valentin Egorshin
Valentin Egorshin
Valentin Egorshin
Anton Vaganov / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA
(The man dressed as a knight was later detained by police, as well.)
Valentin Egorshin