Ecologists to open international decade in defence of Utrish with a concert and rally in Krasnodar

On January 22-23, in Krasnodar, activists-ecologists plan to hold public actions in defence of the unique natural territory named Utrish, located in the Krasnodar Territory between the cities of Anapa and Novorossisk. These actions will open the international decade of actions in defence of Utrish, which will last from January 22 to January 31.

Tonight, a concert will take place in Krasnodar with participation of vocal and dancing ensembles, poets, singer-songwriters and rock groups; and tomorrow, on December 23, a rally and a march will be held. The organizers plan that the action will start at midday with a rally at the building of the Musical Theatre, were activists of the ecological and scientific community and members of political organizations will speak. Then, a march will take place along the Krasnaya Street from the Ordzhonikidze Street to the Pushkin Square.

In the course of the action, citizens will be informed about the situation with Utrish, and the sign-in campaign will be held of the appeal to President Medvedev. The organizers of the public actions in Krasnodar are the members of the Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus and activists of the Movement "Let's Save Utrish!"

The Ecological Watch reports that the organizers of the rally and march faced serious difficulties. "The rally and the initial phase of the march were applied to be held in the square in front of the Administration of the Krasnodar Territory, which was intended to symbolize a protest against its actions towards destruction of the nature of Utrish," the ecologists said.

However, the authorities banned the rally in that place saying that another event had been appointed there - "of youth organizations loyal to the authorities", who applied earlier than Utrish defenders.

Meanwhile, activists-ecologists find the reason of refusal to be "anecdotic".