Tomorrow is Flag Day in Russia, everybody’s favorite non-vacation holiday! The mayor of Kirov is less than thrilled about the coming celebrations, however, and his office has even denied a permit to a local group that wants to stage a march through the city, followed by a demonstration.
City Hall told organizers to pump the breaks, saying that the proposed route comes too close to schools, hospitals, and athletic centers — an apparent violation of Kirov’s regulations on public assemblies.
Unfortunately for the demonstrators, who asked for a permit to march carrying only Russian flags (without any political banners or sound-amplification equipment), the Mayor’s Office didn’t offer them any alternative routes. Organizers are taking the matter to court, and some say they’ll march even without a permit.
Photo on front page: Pixabay