Organizer of "Strategy 31" action holds solo picket in Volgograd

In Volgograd, at his solo picket, Vladimir Vasilchenko, the organizer of the "Strategy 31" actions, has demanded fair elections. Most passers-by supported the activist.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that a group of Volgograd activists is regularly holding solo pickets against the policies of the Russian government, as the city Mayoralty refuses to sanction rallies in central Volgograd.

Mr Vasilchenko was standing today from 4 to 6 p.m. local time in Heroes Alley with a poster "No fair elections – no legitimate power!" Next to him, on the asphalt, there was a poster demanding resignation of the Mayor of Volgograd.

According to Vasilchenko, policemen approached him today. "They asked if someone else would come and until when I planned to stand," said the activist.

He has added that young people were especially positive to his action. "There were no inadequate passers-by today. The youth was very sympathetic; they shook hands, clapped me on my shoulder and took quite a lot of photos. They ask 'Why are you alone?', show a thumb as a sign of support, and take a lot of photos of me," Vladimir Vasilchenko has shared his impressions.

"I had applied for pickets today in eight places; the Mayoralty rejected all of them under the pretext of cleaning these places," Vasilchenko said. "I went around all the eight places; there was no cleaning anywhere."

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 31, 2019 at 07:00 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.