Scores Of Anti-Putin Protesters Arrested In Russia

LAGOS MAY 7TH (NEWSRANGERS)-No fewer than 1,500 demonstrators were arrested overnight in Russia after people took to the streets protesting Vladimir Putin’s government. The protests were organized by a leader who was barred from running in the election.
Navalny called on people demonstrate in nearly a hundred cities across the world’s largest country to convey to Putin, who won a landslide victory in the March presidential election with over 76 percent of the vote, that he won’t be allowed to rule “as a czar.”
At the rally in Moscow, people in the crowd were seen holding up banners saying “I’ve had enough” and “I am against corruption,” chanting “Putin is a thief” and “away with the czar.”
Many also waved Russian flags as police stood by and helicopters hovered above.
Opposition supporters rally in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Saturday.Anton Vaganov / Reuters
“I want to live free in Russia where everyone will be equal,” high school student Daniel, 17, who didn’t want to reveal his last name, told NBC News when asked why he joined the protests.
As the crowd swelled, police swept in. Some protesters told Russia’s TV Rain the detentions seemed random and heavy-handed. Protesters were shouting “shame on you” at police officers as people were being taken away.
Artist Ekaterina, 36, who also didn’t want her last name shared, said she hoped the government would hear them.
“There is a big chunk of people who don’t agree with what’s happening in the country, who didn’t go out to vote, and who don’t consider the elections legitimate,” she said.
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