Russians Rally Against Racism and Xenophobia

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More than a thousand people rallied in Moscow city center in Russia to protest against recent ethnic clashes and "xenophobia," the fear and hatred of foreigners. The recent violence and racist incidents have raised concerns about Russia's hosting of the 2018 World Cup.

These Russians wanted to show they will not tolerate racism and xenophobia or "hatred of foreigners."

Several thousand gathered peacefully at the Moscow Pushkinskaya Square on Sunday.

This peaceful rally comes after Slavic nationalists beat up ethnic groups from the Caucasus and Central Asia two weeks ago.

The protesters on Sunday held banners reading "Russia for Everyone" and "Russia without Racism."

Some people also held pictures of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the jailed Russian tycoon, who lashed out at Vladimir Putin's iron rule.

In an article published on Friday, Khodorkovsky blamed the Russian Prime Minister for the 10-fold rise in corruption since Putin came to power in 2000.

Khodorkovsky also drew links between corruption and this month's clashes.

He says these demonstrate that ultra-nationalism is dangerous -- and on the rise in Russia.

Leaders of Russia's opposition and Green activists were also at the rally.

[Vladimir Ryzhkov, Opposition Politician]:
"Each city, each town and village in Russia is multi-national. Any outbreak of nationalism in Russia will ruin the country, will ruin the society, the state, the culture, everything. Russia will be over. If nationalism will come forward, we could give up Russia as a hopeless case. I am against that. People gathered here are patriots of Russia, they are people who love Russia the way it is."

On December 6, a man was killed in a fight between a group of ethnic Russians and migrants from the Northern Caucasus.

His name was Yegor Sviridov - an engineer and fan of the Moscow football club Spartak.

Suspects were arrested, but one was freed on bail.

About 7,000 racist football fans and nationalists gathered in memory of Sviridv near Red Square on Dec. 11.

A number of them attacked passers-by who appeaered to be from non-Slavic minorities.

More then 30 people were injured in clashes that lasted half-an-hour.

Green activist Yevgeniva Chirikova, who recently joined the opposition, criticized the government.

[Yevgeniva Chirikova, Ecology Activist]:
"Who brought our courts and our police to this brutish state, when they do not fulfill their jobs and when their actions are aimed against civil activists. Who did that? Maybe those were Tajiks and Caucasians? Or maybe those who after all [that happened] foster our football fans in the throne room?"

The violence has raised fear that the government is unable or unwilling to stop the rising tide of xenophobia in Russia.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• NTD
• Russians
• Rally
• Racism
• Xenophobia
• Mikhail Khodorkovsky
• Vladimir Putin
• Yegor Sviridov
• Spartak

[OgBJJ]

i would tap that BLONDE ASS

[hastious]

RUSSIA HATES BLACK PEOPLE !!

BOYCOTT THE WORLD CUP BROTHERS!!

[stickyickyicky1203]

@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxy1 Not a damn thing. It's great that people are waking up.

[stickyickyicky1203]

@YanateFTW You're a pussy. Your beliefs are failed. I'm assuming you believe in multiculturalism. How did that work for Los Angeles? There's racial gangwars everywhere. It's awful. Wake up to reality. A diverse, divided society does not work. A society with a common language, culture, and yes, skin color, sticks together.

[stickyickyicky1203]

@KevUrbie Thumbs way UP!!!!

[mirtanalol]

@ZeroBoostBuick

Putin is jew and all goverment in Russia since 1917.

[KevUrbie]

Dear Russians, The people in this video are liberals. If you dont handle them, they will fuck up your country just like they are doing in europe and america.

Ura!

[ZeroBoostBuick]

Khodorkovsky is a Jew.... finally someone is had the balls to keep the Jews from fucking with their country... Putin is the MAN !!

[ZeroBoostBuick]

if you're not White then stay the fuck out of Russia... it's that simple.

[iam1and1isme]

one thing to say. what goes around comes around.