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

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


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.

Related: Russia's exported "Immortal Regiment" marches accused of being part of hybrid war against Ukraine

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

Related: “Immortal regiment” march in Toronto – shameful display of Russian propaganda

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.

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Leave a Reply
    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts

    February 10: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has put forward an ultimatum for Putin

    February 10 – Ukrainian military are returning to demarcation line as stated in Minsk agreements, – said NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko. According to Lysenko, counteroffensive operation continues. He also emphasized that situation is difficult near the city of Debaltseve, fights in the direction of Artemivsk-Debaltseve continue.

    February 10 – According to UN estimates, 263 civilians have died during the conflict in Donbas from January 31st to February 5th. Merkel and Obama continue to think their thoughts – have they been doing it for too long?

    February 10 – Seven most developed countries and the International Monetary Fund consider increasing financial assistance to Ukraine, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Total aid package could amount to up to 40 billion USD. Overall in 2014 Ukraine has received 9 billion USD of funding from various sources and has paid back 14 billion USD of dollars in debt obligations.

    February 10 – Russian social networks "Vkontakte" and "Odnoklassniki" are on US pirate list.

    February 10 – During the day the militants shelled residential districts of the city of Kramatorsk and the airfield, where ATO's General Staff was located. 8 civilians were killed by the terrorists as a result of this attack. According to General Staff, the city was shelled from multiple launch rocket systems "Smerch". Russian artillery poses a great danger for anything located 120 km from the front – the Russians can fire at it at any time.

    February 10 – President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko believes that the meeting in Minsk, which could be held on Wednesday in "Normandy" format", is one of the last chances for a diplomatic settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

    February 10 – Sub-units of the National Guard in whose front guard was the special unit Azov

    with the support of the Ukrainian Armed Forces broke through the enemy defense in the region of the city of Mariupol. This notification was made by the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Turchynov in his commentary from the place of action, transmitted RNBO Press Service. According to his report, during the attack they took under control the cities of Pavlopol Kominternove, Lebedynsk, Berdiansk, Shyrokin and others. "The enemy suffered very serious losses in the fight. In disseminating the the Russian-terrorist groupings around Mariupol, our forces guaranteed a hopeful defense of the city, protecting from artillery shells the peaceful residents," emphasized Turchynov.

    February 9 – Nine Ukrainian military were killed and twenty six were injured in the ATO area on February 8th, – said Ukrainian military spokesman Vladyslav Seleznyov.

    February 9 – German Chancellor Angela Merkel has put forward an ultimatum for Putin – she gave Russian President Vladimir Putin time until Wednesday to agree on a "road map" to end fighting in eastern Ukraine. If Russian Federation doesn't make concessions and decides to block the agreement, Merkel promised Putin further sanctions against Russian companies including, in particular, freezing of assets (sanctions may include defense industry and possibly financial sector). At the same time Merkel, who is publicly against the supply of arms to Ukraine, has told Putin in private that she will not resist Barack Obama if he decides to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine.

    February 9 – Approximately 1,5 thousand Russian soldiers and 300 military vehicles have arrived from Russia in Ukraine over the weekend, – said NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko. He emphasized that Russian Federation continues to transfer ammunition to Ukraine.

    February 9 – During the day terrorists continuously attempted to cut off the city of Debaltseve (controlled by Ukrainian troops) from main units of Ukrainian army. Their attempts to stop transport communication at the "road of life" Donetsk-Debaltseve have failed. Prior to negotiations, which will take place in Minsk on Wednesday, the terrorists would like to occupy Debaltseve because it is an important railway junction (to strengthen Putin's position).

    February 9 – Prosecutor General of Ukraine Vitaliy Yarema has been dismissed at the request of Ukrainian Parliament.

    February 9 – On Monday fourteen EU foreign ministers and French ambassador held a rally in Brussels demanding to release Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko who has been imprisoned by Russian authorities and is currently on hunger strike in Moscow.

    February 9 – Citing own sources, Brussels media report that Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has asked the EU to postpone the implementation of new sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, in Kyiv they claim that EU Council meeting could have resulted in no further sanctions introduced against Russia, whereas Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has helped to bring some sanctions about.

    February 9 – The conflict in Ukraine will last for a long time, until the Ukrainian authorities do not reach a negotiation with the pro-Russian fighter-separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. This was stated by the President of the Russian Federation Volodymyr Putin in an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al' – Akhram before his visit to Egypt. He continues to force Ukraine to sit at the table with terrorists.

    February 9 – In Kharkiv the court found physician Olha Vorzheyinova guilty in that she cruelly attacked with her feet, the lying and wounded activist of the EuroMaidan. Olha Vorzheyinova did not admit her offense. She was sentenced to a punishment of one year and six months of curtailment of freedom.

    by Ivo Daalder, Michele Flournoy, John Herbst, Jan Lodal, Steven Pifer, James Stavridis, Strobe Talbott and Charles Wald Preserving Ukraine's Independence, Resisting Russian Aggression. What the United States and NATO Must Do

    The Woman Who Would Take on Vladimir Putin

    The Bad Sad Mad Mr. Putin

    Anne Applebaum

    The long view with Russia

    RESOLUTION CONSULTATION MEETING OF THE PLATFORM OF CRIMEAN TATAR ORGANISATIONS IN TURKEY (8 FEBRUARY 2015 – ANKARA)

    Humanitarian crisis in Ukraine 'far larger than Europe appreciates'

    Mariupol Next in LIne?

    P.S.: Please spread this appeal as much as possible.

    January 7: The crime in Paris is a shock to entire European Muslim community, – said Mufti of Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine Said Ismagilov

    Maidan Community Sector, Lviv: Dear friends!

    January 7 – Three Ukrainian military died, one was wounded in the conflict area in Donbas in the last 24 hours, – informed NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko.

    January 7 – "According to available intelligence, conflicts have intensified in the occupied areas between "kazaks"-terrorists and the armed gang "People's Republic of Luhansk", which is supported by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation" – informed NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko.

    January 7 – Some celebrate Christmas and some "work hard" for the tainted money. Provocative shelling by the terrorists of Ukrainian military was recorded in the ATO area. ATO press center informs: "Bandits fired at Opytne village from artillery weapons, while the sniper operated near Nikishyne village. Mortars fired at Ukrainian positions close to the villages of Opytne, Orlovo-Ivanivka, Zolote, Pisky, Popasna, Avdiyivka (twice) and the new terminal of Donetsk airport". The terrorists used "Grad" multiple rocket launcher to fire at Pisky and Nyzhnie villages

    January 7 – The crime committed in Paris today is a shock to entire European Muslim community, – said Mufti of Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine Said Ismagilov: "On behalf of Muslims of Ukraine I express my sympathy to the families of journalists killed at Charlie Hebdo. Despite the fact that the magazine published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him!), which certainly offends the religious feelings of Muslims, such incidents must be resolved in a civilized manner within the legal framework of each country".

    January 7 – 630115 people were relocated from temporarily occupied territory and ATO area to other regions – 610174 persons left Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and 19941 left Crimea and Sevastopol.

    P.S.: Please spread this appeal as much as possible.

    Ads are disabled for Euromaidan patrons.

    Support us on Patreon for an ad-free experience.

    Already with us on Patreon?

    Enter the code you received on Patreon or by email to disable ads for 6 months

    Invalid code. Please try again

    Code successfully activated

    Ads will be hidden for 6 months.