In Moscow, thousands protest destruction of Khimki Forest

In spite of heavy policing, several thousand people yesterday rallied at a concert in Pushkin Square to voice opposition to the destruction of the Khimki Forest to make way for the EUR 1.5 billion first section of the Moscow – St. Petersburg motorway, a project that may receive financial blessings from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank.

Organisers had to overcome numerous obstacles, as the city authorities had claimed that a permit had only been granted for a ‘rally’, not a ‘concert’. Additionally, unknown motorcyclists attempted to puncture the tyres of the sound equipment van, which the police also prohibited from entering the square; attendees were required to pass metal detectors, causing long queues; and one man attempted to cut off the electricity supply. Singer-songwriter Yury Shevchuk had to entertain the crowd “unplugged” with only a megaphone to amplify the sound, while other artists due to attend were not allowed into the square at all.

“In spite of all the difficulties, the rally was a great success”, said Mikhail Mateev of the Movement to Defend Khimki Forest. “The fact that so many people were willing to stand up and say “No!” to destruction of Khimki Forest is a strong message, and we hope that the European banks and project concessionaire Vinci are listening.”