In Russia, people have been encouraged to bang on pots and pans in protest against the internet shutdown
Russian journalist and politician Katerina Duntseva announced the launch of a campaign to defend internet freedom in Russia.
Due to the de facto ban on all forms of street gatherings, she has invited citizens to express their disagreement with the government’s actions through a “home protest” that does not require taking to the streets.
The campaign will last for a week and involves making noise from open windows at 8:00 p.m.
Organizers suggest using whistles, pots, or music to draw attention to the issue of restrictions on digital freedoms in the country.
Duntsova emphasized that the chosen protest format does not formally violate Russian law.
However, she noted that legal norms in Russia today are “interpreted very flexibly,” so she urged participants to stay within acceptable noise limits to avoid giving authorities a formal pretext for arrests.
“The authorities effectively ban any form of street protest,” she wrote on her Telegram channel.
That is precisely why the idea of a “noise protest” from windows was an attempt to demonstrate citizens’ solidarity without the risk of immediate arrest in the streets.
To ensure the safety of the participants, the politician sent official requests addressed to Vladimir Putin, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, and Federation Council Chair Valentina Matvienko.
The appeals were also sent to Investigative Committee Chairman Bastrykin, Interior Minister Kolokoltsev, and Prosecutor General Gutsan.
Duntsova called on Russians to contact government officials en masse to ask about the legality of this form of expression.
This should serve as an additional tool to exert pressure and legitimize protests against the blocking of independent media outlets and the slowing down of global services.
Russia plans new tax due to rising military spending
A "purge" of military correspondents has begun in Russia
