They’re survivors and heroes, those hostages of Vladimir Putin who walked out of his prison camps in an historic prisoner swap on August 1st of this year.

They were in prison because of their opposition to the blatantly corrupt, authoritarian government of a man who would rule the world . . . and rule it with an iron fist.

Well, the good news is that, although they may now be living in forced exile, their love of their home country — the one not ruled by a bloodthirsty tyrant — has not diminished. Nor has their determination to continue the fight against Putin’s tyranny, to restore freedom and hope to Russia, and to return home once more.

So Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin have joined with Yulia Navalnaya — widow of Putin’s principal opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, until his unexplained death in a prison camp in February of this year — in organizing a major anti-war demonstration in Berlin, Germany, on November 17th.

Their purpose? To demand the resignation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Wow! “Go big or go home” takes on new meaning with this crew — as well it should, considering what they, and so many of their countrymen, have suffered.

In a video made on October 30th, Navalnaya said that “. . . we must show ourselves and the whole world that there is an anti-militarist and free Russia.” [RFE/RL, October 30, 2024.]

Yashin, in an announcement on his Telegram channel, said that the march will demand the “withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, while holding Vladimir Putin accountable as a war criminal, and the release of all political prisoners.” [Id.]

And in Prague, when meeting with supporters, Yashin said that he, Navalnaya and Kara-Murza would soon present an “anti-war, anti-Putin initiative” to include many emigres as well as people still living in Russia. [Id.]

*. *. *

Inasmuch as unauthorized protests are now prohibited in Russia, and permits are routinely denied for anti-war demonstrations, staging such events outside of the country is one of the few options open to Putin’s opponents. Hopefully, there are enough groups in exile, and a sufficient number of supporters, to render the demonstration in Berlin a huge success.

Not that there is really any hope of forcing Putin’s resignation any time soon. But protests have a way of spreading. And who knows what the future may bring?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/1/24