WATCH: Protests, Fight Outside DC Russian Embassy During Elections
Russian nationals in the US visited the Russian Embassy to vote in their country’s presidential elections earlier today.
U.S. Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov spoke to press after voting. Antonov would not tell media who he voted for, nor comment on sanctions against Russia or shakeups in leadership at the CIA and State Dept.
Meanwhile, a brief fight occurred outside. Secret Service promptly arrived at the scene and determined, partially based on this video, that both sides committed crimes in the fight. The participants were told that if either side wanted to press charges, all would be arrested. Everyone declined to press charges and was let go.
About a dozen protesters used chants like “arrest Putin now!” to condemn the election itself, which they believe is fixed toward Putin. A statement from the group said the following:
In order to re-elect Putin to a fourth term, the ruling party’s government regime rejected the registration of the only strong opposition politician, Alexey Navalny. Instead, it is allowing a number of pseudo-opposition candidates to run who have never taken part in the political process before. State-controlled TV networks and a non-transparent voting system are set to create an illusion of a democratic reelection, while it is nothing more than a show to cast a veneer of legitimacy on an authoritarian leader.
The upcoming presidential election in Russia are unfree, unfair and undemocratic.
Edward Snowden, who is still in Russia and not being extradited to the United States, condemned "ballot stuffing" allegations in the election. Although Putin ultimately won, Snowden alleges it may have been an unfair election, seemingly siding with the protesters.
Putin may be a KGB thug, but at least he isn't an international embarrassment like Yeltsin. If the Russians really want new leadership, they will have to stand up and get their hands dirty.
How do you suggest they do that?
Mass protests + organized attacks on government infrastructure. Putin won't go down with a fight! Think 10x Ukrainian revolution. This is the only thing that will topple Putin at this point. Of course there's also the issue of the millions of rabid Putin supporters, which will also fight.
It will be a cluster fuck regardless of which way you cut it.
Thank you for this! I was wondering what kind of reaction there was to the election.
Great job getting those questions in!