On May 1, thousands of residents of Moscow and St.Petersburg went out to celebrate the Day of Spring and Labour. Some of them felt like BBQing and dancing, others intended to march along central streets carrying banners and flags.
Moscow
In Moscow, two rallies were held around the same time. The May Day column were moving from St. Basil Cathedral to the Historical Museum. The ‘Monstration’ march (an event parodying a demonstration) also took place in the Russian capital.
St. Petersburg
The local police detained more than 15 protesters that were part of the Democratic Column. The participants refused to leave Nevsky Avenue. According to the organizers, the event was authorized and activists did not violate any rules.
However, the column was still dispersed, most of the organizers were taken to the police, a belsat.eu journalist reported from the scene. Maxim Reznik, a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, was also detained.
ДР belsat.eu
