'Russia for the Russians': Nationalists turn out in force to protest Putin

[pampango]

Russian nationalists shout attend a demonstration on National Unity Day in Moscow on Sunday.

Thousands of nationalists marched through Moscow on Sunday chanting slogans such as "Russia for the Russians" to protest President Vladimir Putin's government, which they accuse of lavishing privileges on migrants and minorities while ignoring ethnic Russians. The anti-Kremlin tone of the nationalists, who once backed Putin, comes as the movement's leaders try to broaden their base in the wake of last winter's historic opposition protests against the Russian leader. Some nationalists are even denouncing violence and racism, which many mainstream opposition activists view with suspicion.

Nationalist leaders believe many ordinary Russians share their concerns but that they are put off by their movement's more radical members. As a result, some nationalist leaders have denounced racism and violence and some are even trying to set up a more mainstream political party.

"You hear it all the time: 'I've really had it with the darkies, but I'm still not a nationalist,'" nationalist leader Konstantin Krylov told The Associated Press last week. "And then people go up to me after I speak at protests and say, 'Listen, you're a nationalist, but you're telling it like it is.'"

"There was no reason to legitimize them," prominent opposition figure Vladimir Ryzhkov said. "It's like the Nazis in the 1920s — they were marginal until they got support from politicians and businessmen, and it brought the whole of Europe to ruin."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49690021/ns/world_news-europe/#.UJegI2l27cw

An odd way to celebrate "National Unity Day" - with a protest aimed at Russia for the Russians.

These nationalists sound like teabaggers with their "We want our country back. Enough with help for immigrants and minorities."