In January 2021, Alexey Navalny arrived in Moscow after a long poisoning treatment in Germany. He was instantly detained at the airport and sent to prison.
Peaceful protests in support of Alexey took place in the most Russian cities, but protesters faced unprecedented police brutality and record numbers of detains.
Unsanctioned rallies were given in the news as illegal gatherings of provocateurs. The streets of Moscow were overrun with riot police and police vans, arresting anyone who was just walking by, and at the metro stations exits they were checking passports and asking questions about the reason of visiting the city center.
My vision of those days, the call to stop the senseless violence, and the desire to teach people to love one another and not be afraid of that love. I’m sure it’s in all of us.
