Press Release, 25.02.2020

On 22 February, a mass picket was held in Chelyabinsk as part of the Constitution of Free People campaign organised by the Chelyabinsk Yabloko. About one hundred people took part in the picket.

“We have not so many opportunities left to exercise our constitutional rights, one of which is the right to openly express our opinions. If we do not use it, then this right will be taken away, leaving nothing of our dignity. All of us who are against the presidential amendments [to the Constitution] and the way they are trying to implement them, we are all on the same side,” said Yaroslav Shcherbakov, Chairman of the Chelyabinsk branch of Yabloko.

“If you want the same and also think if you are not happy that the Basic Law of our country is changed for the goals of a particular person, take a little time and join our campaign,” Yaroslav Shcherbakov added.

Shcherbakov also emphasised that on 29 February the Chelyabinsk branch of Yabloko will again take to the streets with demands to prevent usurpation of power in the interests of Vladimir Putin. An action in memory of Boris Nemtsov is planned for this day, it will be held in the Andreyevsky Garden at 14:00.

Earlier, Yabloko held a rally in Magnitogorsk as part of the Constitution of Free People campaign. Yabloko is also preparing actions in Miass and Kopeisk. Collection of signatures against the usurpation of power and in support of Yabloko’s alternative amendments to the Constitution goes on in the office of the regional branch of the party in Chelyabinsk.

It should be noted that Yabloko has already introduced through five regional parliaments the first package of amendments to the Constitution concerning the powers of the President, the Federal Assembly and the Government, as well as strengthening the independence of the judiciary.