Administration of Rostov-on-Don sanctions action in support of "Pussy Riot"

The administration of Rostov-on-Don has sanctioned an action of solidarity with members of the punk band "Pussy Riot", scheduled for August 17. The venue of the picket will be an area in front of the City Don Public Library.

"On that day, action of solidarity in support of the girls, kept in SIZO (pre-trial prison), will be held worldwide. Meanwhile, the organizers of the Rostov action already received threats in social networks from 'the Orthodox community'. So, in the 'Vkonrtakte', we were contacted by 'Don Cossacks', who promised 'to disperse with whips'. Besides, fanatics wrote us and promised that they would come to disperse us," the "Caucasian Knot" was told by Vladislav Ryazantsev, the coordinator of the Left-Wing Front in the Rostov Region. He has added that in the event of fulfilment of the threats, the participants of the action hope for their own strengths and police protection.

"It is planned that the action will be attended by about 40 persons. Originally, we submitted to the city administration a notification for holding a picket in Soviets Square, and an area in front of the entrance to Gorky Park was specified as an alternate venue. The city administration informed us that 'the places, specified in the notification, had been earlier announced as the venues for holding a public event by another organizer at specified time' and sanctioned a rally in front of the library," Vladislav Ryazantsev has clarified.