"Noon Against Putin" (Russian: Полдень против Путина, romanized: Polden protiv Putina) was a peaceful protest on 17 March of the 2024 Russian presidential election, where voters who do not support Vladimir Putin came en masse to polling stations at noon and vote against Putin or spoil the ballot.[1] The protest has been described by the Novaya Gazeta as "Navalny's political testament" as it was the last political statement by prominent Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny prior to his death.[2]
| Noon against Putin Полдень против Путина | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Russian opposition protest rallies and anti-war protests in Russia (2022–present) | |||
  Logos used by action organizers | |||
| Date | 17 March 2024 at 12:00 local time | ||
| Location | Multiple countries worldwide, including Russia | ||
| Caused by | Opposition to the authority of Vladimir Putin | ||
| Goals |
| ||
| Methods | Protest vote, spoilt vote | ||
| Parties | |||
| Lead figures | |||
Mikhail Khodorkovsky | |||
| Casualties | |||
| Arrested | More than 75 in Russia | ||
Background
editInitiation
edit
The author of the "Noon against Putin" action was politician Maxim Reznik.
In January 2024, Alexei Navalny called on Russians to take part in this event.[3] Navalny's last political statement was a call to support "Noon against Putin".[2] In 14 January 2024, participants on the talk show "What to do?" on the independent Russian channel TV Rain proposed this unified strategy for the elections.[4] One participant, economist Sergei Guriev, noted that the election would feature "no candidates who are better or worse [than Putin], but only one very bad candidate".[4] Maxim Katz added that "for the first time in a long time, the entire opposition had a common goal – to campaign for a vote against Putin".[4] Ivan Zhdanov shared the same opinion, noting on 8 February that Putin wants to divide people, and this action aims to unite people against Putin.[5]
Initially, the Anti-Corruption Foundation considered the idea to be weak, but when they calculated and realized that with the number of 2058 polling stations in only one city, Moscow, if at least half a million people simultaneously come to the rally, then this will be 250 like-minded people for each of the polling stations – a lot of people at each site.[6][7]
The action was also supported by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Dmitry Gudkov, Yulia Galyamina, Mikhail Lobanov, Arseny Vesnin, Sergey Guriev, Anastasia Shevchenko, Vladimir Milov, Leonid Gozman, Abbas Gallyamov, Vladimir Pastukhov, Stanislav Belkovsky, Olga Romanova, Alexander Morozov, Alexey Venediktov, Tikhon Dzyadko, Ekaterina Kotrikadze, Ilya Shablinsky, Dmitry Oreshkin, Ilya Shepelin, Dmitry Kolezev, Lyubov Sobol, Ekaterina Shulman, Ekaterina Duntsova, Marat Gelman, Mitya Aleshkovsky, Viktor Shenderovich, Evgeny Kiselyov, Vladimir Kara-Murza, Lev Ponomarev and other public figures.[1][8][9]
According to the author of the action:
This action is about the unity of the place and time of our protest against Putin. That is, objective parameters on which there is no need to argue and which the authorities cannot change... This is not an election – this is a "special election operation". Why does Putin need it? To prove the unity of the Fuhrer and the nation: there is Putin – there is Russia. It is important for him to confirm once again this thesis, which many already believe. Our task is to show that everything is exactly the opposite... Therefore, it is important for us to show ourselves and the world that there are many of us. So this noon should be everywhere: in Kaliningrad, Vladivostok, St. Petersburg, in the Nile Valley and on the top of Everest. This will be a Russian afternoon where Russians must demonstrate their attitude towards Putin. And doing it on site is safe and legal.[1][10]
Alexey Navalny described the action as a safe and legal way to express his protest.[8][11] Alexei Navalny also spoke about safety for those participating, since at this time the turnout is already high and there are a lot of voters, "and it is simply impossible to single out those who vote 'against'".[12]
Political scientist Abbas Gallyamov on 1 February 2024, agreeing that this is a performance, but, in his opinion, with a sufficient number of participants, "the Russian security forces and bureaucrats, the West, and Ukraine will see that Putin is not as legitimate as everyone thought".[6] A similar idea was expressed by Dmitry Kolezev.[13]
According to a Radio Liberty study conducted on 5 February 2024, the initiative is actively discussed on social networks.[13] Leonid Volkov notes that it is especially important to support the initiative in large cities.[13] Sergei Boyko reminds that when collecting signatures, the idea of showing the mass scale of the protest has already worked before.[13] Dmitry Gudkov believes that the 2024 elections should be treated as "Putin's special election operation", and although Putin will get more than 80% support, "the opposition needs to jointly show the artificiality of Putin’s result."[14]
On 28 February, the manifesto of the civil movement "Peace. Progress. Human Rights", was prepared by human rights activist Lev Ponomarev and his colleagues. Among other things, the manifesto calls for making the "Noon against Putin" action truly mass-scale: "Only mass participation gives a chance to influence the situation. So let's ensure that the whole of Russia stands in line at the polling stations, and the whole world sees it." The authors of the text called on the opposition to overcome differences and strengthen common action. "The task of the opposition in these weeks is to be with the Russians, to offer them relatively safe options for action, to maximize their voice, to agitate the doubters", the manifesto says.[2]
On 3 March, Kirill Martynov, in an interview with Idel.Realii (a news outlet associated with Radio Liberty), noted that he considered the action good and believed that it was necessary to participate in it.[15] He was echoed by the head of the Watch, Evgeny Kochegin, who believes that the main thing is to fulfill Navalny's last will.[16]
Opposition from the authorities
editOn 2 February, authorities threatened Yulia Galyamina with criminal charges for organizing the protest.[17]
On 2 March 2024, Roskomnadzor blocked the campaign's website, vpolden.org. As of writing, within Russia, it is only accessible through VPNs or anonymizers.[18]
Former Legislative Assembly deputy Sergei Gulyaev shared information that Roskomnadzor sent a notice demanding that Gulyaev's video with a statement about the action be removed from the YouTube service.[19]
On 3 March 2024, the authorities of several Russian cities decided to hold Maslenitsa festivities at the same time as the "Noon against Putin" protest.[20] This has drawn comparisons to the Shashlik Live music festival, held amid the 2019 Moscow protests.[21]
On 27 February 2024, Latvian Minister of Justice Inese Lībiņa-Egnere expressed her opinion that Russians living in Latvia planning to attend the election "essentially support" Russia's invasion of Ukraine.[22] On 11 March 2024, the Chief of the State police Armands Ruks warned that Russian citizens visiting the Russian embassy to vote during 15–17 March would undergo police screenings; those found to be illegal immigrants might be deported.[23]
On 14 March 2024, the Moscow Prosecutor's Office released a press statement, stating that it considered organizing and/or participating in "mass events" involving "simultaneous arrival at polling stations" illegal, in a veiled reference to the campaign.[24]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c "Навальный призвал сторонников выйти на акцию «Полдень против Путина» во время выборов. Какой в ней смысл? Это что-то вроде флешмоба с фонариками?" [Navalny called on supporters to come to the “Noon against Putin” rally during the elections. What's the point? Is this some kind of flash mob with flashlights?]. Meduza (in Russian). 6 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Ponomarev, Lev; Kotenochkina, Elena; Elanchik, Oleg (28 February 2024). "«Полдень против Путина»: политическое завещание Навального. Манифест гражданского движения «Мир. Прогресс. Права человека» им. Сахарова" [“Noon against Putin”: Navalny’s political testament. Manifesto of the civil movement “Peace. Progress. Human Rights" named after Sakharov]. Novaya Gazeta Europe (in Russian).
- ^ "Навальный поддержал акцию «Полдень против Путина». Всем, кто Путина не поддерживает, предлагается прийти на выборы в одно время — в 12 часов 17 марта" [Navalny supported the “Noon against Putin” campaign. Everyone who does not support Putin is invited to come to the polls at the same time - at 12 o'clock on March 17.]. Meduza (in Russian). Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ a b c "«Полдень против Путина». Участники ток-шоу «Что делать?» на Дожде предложили единую стратегию на выборах" ["Noon against Putin." Participants of the talk show “What to do?” at Dozhd they proposed a unified strategy for the elections]. TV Rain (in Russian). 14 January 2024. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Чуда не произошло: Надеждину отказали в регистрации. В бюллетене не будет антивоенного кандидата" [A miracle did not happen: Nadezhdin was denied registration. There will be no anti-war candidate on the ballot]. Meduza (in Russian). Archived from the original on 9 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Что такое «Полдень против Путина» и чем он грозит президенту" [What is “Noon against Putin” and how does it threaten the president?]. The Moscow Times (in Russian). 1 February 2024. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Полдень против Путина. План действий 🎙️ Честное слово с Иваном Ждановым" [Noon against Putin. Action plan 🎙️ Honestly with Ivan Zhdanov]. YouTube (in Russian). 1 February 2024. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ a b Voloshinov, Alexey (1 February 2024). "Алексей Навальный поддержал акцию "Полдень против Путина"" [Alexey Navalny supported the “Noon against Putin” rally]. DW News (in Russian). Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Полдень Против Путина" [Noon Against Putin] (in Russian). Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ Pakharev, Nikita (5 February 2024). "Зачем нужен «Полдень против Путина»? Чем он отличается от флешмоба с фонариками? Точно ли это безопасно? Отвечает автор идеи — экс-депутат Максим Резник" [Why is “Noon against Putin” needed? How is it different from a flash mob with flashlights? Is it really safe? The author of the idea, ex-deputy Maxim Reznik, answers]. Bumaga (in Russian). Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "НОВОСТИ | ПОТОПЛЕН КОРАБЛЬ «ИВАНОВЕЦ» С 40 МОРЯКАМИ | НАВАЛЬНЫЙ ПОДДЕРЖАЛ «ПОЛДЕНЬ ПРОТИВ ПУТИНА»" [NEWS | SHIP “IVANOVETS” SUNK WITH 40 SAILORS | NAVALNY SUPPORTED “NOON AGAINST PUTIN”]. YouTube (in Russian). Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Навальный призвал россиян выразить Путину протест в день выборов, придя проголосовать в полдень" [Navalny called on Russians to protest Putin on election day by coming to vote at noon]. Voice of America (in Russian). 1 February 2024. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d Rudina, Asya (5 February 2024). ""Партия войны так просто позиции не сдаст». Российские соцсети об акции «Полдень против Путина"" [“The war party will not give up its position so easily.” Russian social networks about the “Noon against Putin” campaign]. Krym.Realii (in Russian). Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 10 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ Kovalchenko, Sergey (5 February 2024). "Первый иноагентсткий. Как россияне, объявленные иностранными агентами, обсуждали в Берлине угрозы безопасности и президентские выборы" [The first foreign agency. How Russians, declared foreign agents, discussed security issues and presidential elections in Berlin]. Vottak (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Подкуп, страх и цифровизация. Журналист Кирилл Мартынов — о методах управления в период позднего Путина" [Bribery, fear and digitalization. Journalist Kirill Martynov - about management methods during the late Putin period]. Idel.Realii (in Russian). Radio Liberty. 4 March 2024. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ Kildiyarova, Natalia (3 March 2024). ""Они не запретят чувствовать": на юге России и Северном Кавказе прощаются с Алексеем Навальным" [“They won’t forbid you to feel”: in the south of Russia and the North Caucasus they say goodbye to Alexei Navalny]. Kavkaz.Realii (in Russian). Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Политик Юлия Галямина решила «замолчать». Это связано с возможным уголовным делом из-за акции «Полдень против Путина»" [Politician Yulia Galyamina decided to “shut up.” This is due to a possible criminal case due to the “Noon against Putin” campaign]. Govorit NeMoskva (in Russian). 3 February 2024. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Роскомнадзор заблокировал сайт акции «Полдень против Путина»" [Roskomnadzor blocked the website of the “Noon against Putin” campaign]. Mediazona (in Russian). 2 March 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Акция "Полдень против Путина"" [Action "Noon against Putin"]. YouTube (in Russian). 17 January 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Власти нескольких городов страны объявили о масленичных гуляниях, которые начнутся одновременно с акцией «Полдень против Путина»" [The authorities of several cities across the country have announced Maslenitsa festivities, which will begin simultaneously with the “Noon against Putin” campaign.]. Echo of Moscow (in Russian). Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Власти Екатеринбурга решили устроить масленичные гуляния одновременно с акцией «Полдень против Путина»" [The authorities of Yekaterinburg decided to organize Maslenitsa festivities simultaneously with the “Noon against Putin” action]. DOXA Magazine (in Russian). 2 March 2024. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Latvian Minister Says Russians 'Essentially Support' Invasion By Voting". The Moscow Times. 4 March 2024. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Latvian Police to 'Screen' Russian Voters Outside Moscow's Embassy". The Moscow Times. 11 March 2024. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Прокуратура Москвы официально назвала одновременное прибытие к избирательным участкам уголовным преступлением" [The Moscow prosecutor's office officially called simultaneous arrival at polling stations a criminal offense]. The Insider (in Russian). 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.