Issue and Opponent: In 2009, a coalition of opposition and anti-Kremlim groups organized a rally on the 31st of every month that that date, in Moscow, Russia, to defend their right to protest, as enshrined under Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, and against the oppression of the Russian government. Despite claiming that they should not need a permit, they still requested one for 31 May. The Moscow government denied them the protest permit, citing a pro-government rally that was going to take place in the same location. Strategy-31 hosted protests without permits that July, August, and November. Each garnered a few hundred protesters, and police immediately halted each protest and arrested at least a dozen protesters for violating protest and assembly law.
Dilemma Action: On the night of New Year’s Eve 2010, Strategy-31, a spontaneous civic movement that defends the freedom of assembly in Russia, hosted a protest attended by 500 persons in Triumfalnaya Square. Most of the protesters dressed like Russian folktale figures, including the 82-year-old chairperson of the Moscow Helsinki Group, a prominent Russian human rights group. She dressed up as Santa Claus’s helper, locally known as the Snow Maiden, and gathered participants to chant and sing. The police broke up the protest and arrested over 50 participants, including the 82-year-old lady.
Outcome: In the end, they were allowed to hold their protest, which was one measure of success. However, no real changes were implemented by the government. The story of the action did, however, spread through international media, which saw influential figures such as the President of the European Parliament and the US National Security Council condemn the police’s actions. This action was part of a series of protests organized by Strategy-31 throughout Russia. Their actions continued through 2014.