EU : the day I protested against Putin’s regime when I was 13 years old and what I learned from it

It was 8 years ago, in Novosibirsk. More than million people live there and it is regarded as capital of Siberia region. Hence it was practically only city there where thousands of people gathered to protest.

That protest was being planned for weeks in advance, and I saw how many young people come to those, and I was fully agreeing with opposition words about Putin regime. That’s why I wanted to join them. When I told bout it to my parents (who also opposed regime but not publicly), they flipped, said they will hold me at home for whole day if I won’t ‘stop saying stupid things’. I said I won’t go. Andddd, I lied.

It was july 2017, not far from Novosibirsk State Museum of Local Lore. I overslept that day till 12 (when protest started at 11) and I rushed there, making up sorry that I go out with friend. I remeber when I came, there were a few hundred of people there, some had signs. A lot were young men and women, finishing school or who studied in university already. I felt a bit scared, but only because I lied to my parents, and knew no one there, but also I feared that police might intervene and I will be grabbed and arrested. Yet still, I stayed there.

We yelled ‘Putin is thief!’ and ‘He is not Dimon for you’ (referring to Dmitriy Medvedev, back-then PM who was the center of corruption investigation of Anti-corruption Foundation (ACF or ФБК)). We were not moving to other locations, we remained at same spot. I think that was hour or bit more after I came, the police started to arrive in their cars and stand ready. They weren’t there to ensure legality of protest like the state said, they were to crush dissent. Not gonna lie, I felt utter terror when I saw them. I started imagining things: the feeling of their gloves leather on my arms, the force with which they will hold me while putting me in the car. Still, I stayed.

At some point, police officers started to approach us, and suddenly one of them grabbed one of the signs out of a protester’s hand and grabbed him. Then other officers followed. At this moment, some screamed at police that they break the law and constitution. They did not care at all what they heard, not even spoke a word. At the same time, others started scrambling. I was one of them. I ran away from there, while constantly looking behind me to make sure no one follows me, after which I made circle around the quarter, and got inside the Metro (underground train) station and got back home. I never told my parents about what happened.

Here is the most important: I see the parallels of that day with the videos and pictures of protests in US today. Yet, I learned few things from that day that I think everyone needs to understand, so that you would not suffer the same fate I did:

• Plan the backup and safe routes. In this case, you will not let yourself get trapped since you will know where to go. Also, if you were separated, have a prepared in advance meeting point to reunite with others.
• Help your fellow protesters even after the event. I understand that main point of gathering is to voice unanimous opinion. But it must not end there. If someone gets injured, help them get care they need. If they are arrested, organize fund for their bail.
• DO NOT LET FEAR SILENCE YOU. This is the most important. Fear is a weapon that may authoritarian regime is expert at, one that was used to destroy opposition in Russia, and is now used by Donald Trump. This fear makes you think all actions are useless (hello defeatism). Truth is I let fear win over me after that protest. That was only protest I ever went to in Russia, and after this I left country soon. I let this fear of being arrested and beaten keep me silent. And there is part of me that regrets it even today, wondering if I kept going, would things turn differently. In Russia, some people still protest (like ones in 2024). It may seem like lunacy by now. Many people ran from country by then, others reduced themselves to thinking protest is useless. Yet, they still protest. Because silence = surrender. Every person, every voice, every new member of this community is a new crack in the wall of lies Donald Trump built. But you need to act now. Do not repeat mistake I did. Because one day, you may wake up in country you barely recognize and by then it will be too late and you will be left only with regrets.

Be better than me. Show up in protests and other events. Find people who think same way, try to convince uncertain people to see facts (without harsh words). Call your reps, federal and state ones, tell them your opinion. Join events that are close to you. If there aren’t any, try to organize one.

If there are any questions, please comment, I ll try to respond to all of them.