January 23 has really become a historic milestone. Not only because there were a lot of people in different cities. Today the potential has turned into reality, the energy of both rebellion and suppression has been released. Now we see their collision with our own eyes and we ourselves participate in it. The day is rich in archetypes: disgusting footage of police brutality, beaten and crushed Toyota with a flashing light as a laconic symbol of the attitude of the active part of the people to the authorities … brief sketches – complete meanings.
The same feeling was in August, when Belarus revolted. By the end of the day, an emptiness is felt in my head from the emotions overwhelming for hours.
But let’s gather strength in a heap and summarize the first results:
- The protest has noticeably expanded its geography. Traditionally disloyal capitals, well-known centers of protest: Khabarovsk, Yekaterinburg, Arkhangelsk “accepted into the family”, at first glance, unexpected places: Samara, Ufa, Perm and a long list of names. This is the strength.
- Almost everywhere, the security forces tried to disperse the demonstrations. And in very many cases they were rebuffed. That’s right: self-defense is a right and a necessity;
- It was massive. In total, more than 100 thousand people came out across the country. Most likely – much more;
- This is not a protest from “For Navalny”. Let’s not confuse the excuse and the reason. January 23 expressed the aggregate dissatisfaction of Russians, which has been continuously accumulating from zero since 2014.
What is missing:
- Expressed demands for economic and social justice, participation of residents in the management of society;
- The following moves: freed up public spaces and premises that can become pivotal points of struggle with tyranny;
- Organization and decisiveness: systematic resistance to the police, the will not to disagree and put pressure.
Today Russia has changed psychologically. Tens of thousands of people on the street today got a taste for collective action. And tomorrow they will wake up not the same as yesterday. This is the beginning of a new stage of resistance, a noticeable step forward. Starting tomorrow, we will begin to publish our recommendations on the methods of further struggle.
We want to develop them in dialogue with you, therefore, feedback and your materials are important to us.
Forward to change! Not for Navalny, but for the people!