Riot police detain Russians demanding free assembly

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Anti-government protesters shouting "Russia without Putin!" tussled with police in Moscow on Saturday, and dozens of activists were detained and bundled into police vans.

Police detained about 75 people rallying in Moscow and St Petersburg against Vladimir Putin - who will return to the presidency in May after four years as prime minister - and demanding the freedom of assembly.

In Moscow, riot police in black helmets and body armour locked elbows and pushed a crowd of about 300 protesters and journalists along sidewalks and roadways near a central square.

Protesters chanted "Russia without Putin!" and "Freedom of Assembly: Always and Everywhere!"

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/03/31/uk-russia-protests-idUKBRE82U0BV20120331

[DavidDvorkin]

1. That's the answer to their request

Pictures of Putin without his shirt on will be the limit of government openness.

[backscatter712]

2. This looks familiar... n/t

[daleo]

3. It happens in the West all the time these days

Think of the G20 conference in Toromto, for example. Or consider the tactics used afgainst the Occupy movement.

[provis99]

4. cops only arrest 75 people? Hell, in America, we arrest thousands.

the Russians are bit players in suppression of civil rights.