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Putin and Stalin fit right in at the “Immortal Regiment” event in Boston

byCivic Sector Organizations

11/05/2017

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Participants of the “Immortal Regiment” event in Boston. Photo: Arts Against Aggression

Putin and Stalin fit right in at the “Immortal Regiment” event in Boston

Article by: Arts Against Aggression

As the Russian-organized "Immortal Regiment" marches took place around the globe on 9 May, provoking accusations of being Kremlin propaganda playing its part in Russia's hybrid war against Ukraine, some fell prey to puns. Here we offer an account of the march in Boston, USA, by the activist group Arts Against Aggression, who boycott performances of Russian musicians supporting the Kremlin's policy in Ukraine.

With Russian mercenaries killed in Ukraine set to be honored at the Moscow "Immortal Regiment" event, Putin and Stalin fit right in at the same event in Boston.

In just over a month organizers of the "Immortal Regiment" project in Boston managed to raise about $800 on GoFundMe. Most of that amount was furnished by several anonymous donors who chose not to disclose their names.

Informational support was promised by the Russian Ministry of Defense-run TV network "Zvezda". Identical and coordinated clone events happened all across North America.

Organizers of the Boston event say that the money went to printing banners and posters, and to purchase flags, snacks, etc. Event's Facebook page offered assistance in providing all participants with photographs and posters.

Invitation to participate in this event generated a highly ambivalent reaction among Russian-speaking Boston residents. Lively discussion in various Facebook groups touched upon the question of why the event suddenly requires fundraising, given that in its original incarnation it involved participants bringing photographs of their loved ones and did not necessitate any centralized printing.

Participants of the "Immortal Regiment" event in Boston. Photo: Arts Against Aggression

It was suggested that the funds would be better spent on sponsoring a party for the veterans who currently reside in assisted living facilities in the greater Boston area, and that would-be participants should consider visiting these veterans instead of taking part in the march.

However, organizers decided not to heed these suggestions, and on a rainy morning more than 100 participants in the "Immortal Regiment" gathered in the heart of Boston.

Members of the group "Arts Against Aggression" also took part in the march. An "Arts Against Aggression" activist dressed as Putin, and holding a photograph of Stalin emblazoned with the slogan "Thanks to Grandpa for the Victory," did not raise any eyebrows among the event participants.

A man dressed as Putin carries portrait of Stalin at the "Immortal Regiment" procession in Boston, USA. Photo: Arts against Aggression

Members of Arts Against Aggression proceeded directly from the march to Cutler Majestic Theater, where, as part of the ArtWeek Boston 2017 festival they conducted a temporary installation titled "The cost of Putin's hybrid war."

Installation titled "The cost of Putin's hybrid war"

The installation represents millions of victims of Putin’s hybrid war, and it is a preview of what is likely to greet Putin's accomplices in front of their Boston venue when they arrive for their scheduled concert in June. Emerson College Cutler Majestic Theater is set to host two big name signatories to the infamous letter of Russian cultural figures in support of Putin's policies in Ukraine and Crimea - Vladimir Spivakov and Hibla Gerzmava.

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March 15: Approximately 8.6 thousand soldiers of the Russian troops are currently located in Donbas

March 15 – "Approximately 8.6 thousand soldiers of the Russian troops are currently located in Donbas. Together with illegal armed formations of so called People's Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, the Russian group of troops amounts to more than 43 thousand militants, approximately 780 tanks, 1030 armoured vehicles, 500 artillery systems, almost 420 MLRS, 7 flame throwers "Buratino", nearly 130 air defence systems", – said Deputy Chief of Staff of the ATO in sector C Valentyn Fedychev.

March 15 – After the events at Independence Square (Maidan) in Kyiv in winter of 2014, Armed Forces of the Russian Federation were ready for any scenario – Moscow was ready to bring its nuclear forces to alert, – stated Russian President Vladimir Putin in a film about the annexation of the Crimea "Crimea. The way home."

March 15 – President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has accused Russia of violating the ceasefire and said that Minsk agreements have failed: since the beginning of a full ceasefire on February 15th, it has been violated 1100 times. This was stated by the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko in an interview to Bild newspaper before he left for Germany. Also the President noted that the OSCE observers do not have proper access to be able to fully control the process of withdrawal of heavy weapons. The President called to respond to violations of Minsk agreements by increased sanctions against Russia.

March 15 – To Crimea for the disarmament of the Ukrainainn soldiers, the Main Reconnaissance Department of the Russian Federation was sent. This is presented in the movie about the annexation of Crimea, "Crimea -The Road to the Fatherland", which will be transmitted on the Russian television channel, Russia 1," stated RF President Volodymyr Putin. "In order to block and disarm 20,000 individuals, well armed, it is necessary to have a certain selection of personnel. This means not only in terms of numbers, but also in terms of quality. Professionals were needed who know how to do this. Therefore, I delegated the task and provided directions to the Ministry of Defense what to hide under the guise of increasing the guards for our army objects in Crimea, to send there the special sub-units of the Main Reconnaissance Managers and units of the land navy soldiers, the paratroopers.

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