Police Disperse (several thousand) Protesters in Moscow

[Breeze54]

Police Disperse Protesters in Moscow

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7100417,00.html

Saturday November 24, 2007 11:46 AM

MOSCOW (AP) -

Riot police on Saturday dispersed an anti-Kremlin rally led by former chess champion Garry Kasparov
and other prominent opposition leaders who have come under growing pressure ahead of Dec. 2 elections.

The police, who had surrounded the area, moved in when about 150 of the several thousand protesters
broke through police lines and tried to march to the Central Elections Commission.

The protesters were demanding an end to the authoritarian rule of President Vladimir Putin.

``We should overcome the fear that the regime uses to sustain itself,'' Kasparov told the crowd.
``For the Putin regime, our country is just a source of enrichment.''

Police have violently dispersed several so-called Dissenters Marches in the past year, beating demonstrators
and bystanders with truncheons and dragging many off to police stations.

The city gave the organizers permission to hold the rally but forbid them to march to the Central Elections Commission.

``We should overcome the fear that the regime uses to sustain itself,''

Boy, does THAT sound familiar!!