Прошлое — это маяк, а не порт. | The past is a lighthouse, not a port.
— Old proverb
A spotlight on Russia
Speaking out in Russia against the government can land you in prison. Yet, last month, thousands of Russians risked arrest to have their voices heard.
On March 26, citizens across the country marched to protest alleged corruption in the government in an astonishing challenge to the leadership of Pres. Vladimir Putin.
This was the day that marked the largest rallies in five years with a record number of detainees.
This was the day tens of thousands marched and 1000+ were detained in 82 cities across the Russian Federation.
The country’s main opposition leader, Alexey Navalny, organized the day-long event with his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) weeks prior. So yes, it was planned.
Amid the political waves, Periscopes popped up in true submarine fashion all over.
The FBK chose specifically to use Periscopes in their 10-hour coverage of the day. So did VICE News Tonight in English, if you prefer. Then there were the spontaneous Periscopes from ordinary people broadcasting live from the streets.
Below we have gathered a few that stood out:
We watched as Russia’s Far East city began the protests in Vladivostok.
We stood amidst the crowd as roughly 1000 gathered in the Siberian city of Tomsk.
We were there as nearly 1500 gathered in Ufa.
We were transported to the middle of a chanting crowd of thousands in Saint Petersburg.
We witnessed citizens by the handful being detained in Moscow.
Other top picks for March
Russia, as large as it is, doesn’t encompass even half of Periscope. Watch some of our recent favorite broadcasts below.
