Posting #2
Topic: Civil Rights
Title of article: In Russia, thousands protest presidential election results
Author: Sergei Loiko
Publication Name: LA Times
Date of Publication: 03/05/12
811
Main Idea:
20,000 Russians came to protest in Moscow this Monday, all fighting for their right to elect an honest leader. Putin has been accused several times of stealing the presidential election, the Russians are furious and calling for Putin's immediate resignation. In Pushkin Square, Russians stood in weather hitting below zero, blasting music, and chanting 'Putin is a thief!". One protestor was interviewed and gave his opinion on the matter, "I came here because I just hate the thought of having to live another 12 years under Putin and his corrupt gang". Many were persistent and would not leave the square, even with the threatening whirr of the police helicopters hovering above their heads. When the rally was over, at least 250 citizens were arrested although no one is certain if they were detained at the square.
As elections began in Russia, many voted in their work place and having their bosses looking over their shoulders, ordering which square to mark (obviously in favor of Putin). In other cases, voters were lugged around in buses and attached different names to every station, leading to a higher vote towards Putin. The soon to be prime minister of Russia once again went to even farther depths to keep mouths shut and elections closed by ordering men to take out his opponent's, Prokhorov, campaign workers.
Conclusion:
Unfair elections are unconstitutional and unethical. In my opinion, the only way to gain the rights you've lost by poster child dictators like Putin, is to fight back. I think it's courageous that the Russians are protesting against Putin, even if they face criminal charges or worse. I don't see much hope of stopping Putin, but there's no harm in trying.
It is unfair how the Russian people can't even choose their own president because Putin is controlling the elections. He even went so far to take out his opponents campaign workers. Putin is a dictator, he has already been in power for 12 years which sounds too long for one term, and he is about to be in power for another 12. It is good that the Russians are fighting for their rights and protesting, even if it wont make a difference in Putin's self election.
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