Russia: Protesters in Moscow mimic 'mannequin limb' rally in London
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 November 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Protesters in Moscow mimic 'mannequin limb' rally in London, 4 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a1f113.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 04, 2016
Piles on mannequin limbs are seen outside the Russian Embassy, as part of a protest against military action in Syria, in London on November 3.
Dozens of activists have protested outside the British Embassy in Moscow in a mock response to a demonstration against Russia's bombing campaign in Syria that was held at the Russian Embassy in London.
Protesters from the Syria Campaign blocked an entrance to the Russian Embassy in London on November 3 with some 800 mannequin limbs to symbolize the reported killing of hundreds of civilians in Syrian and Russian bombing raids in the city of Aleppo.
The Russian Embassy said it was "deeply concerned" about the unwillingness of the British government to "ensure security and unhindered operation of the Russian diplomatic mission in London."
The embassy in London also said its telephone lines were clogged by "nuisance callers."
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the London rally was organized by British government officials.
"Everybody can see that these civil-society activities . . . are directly controlled by [British] officials and government," she said.
Zakharova added that the London rally came following a call by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in the House of Commons for protesters to rally outside Moscow's embassy.
Bissan Fakih from the Syria Campaign said campaigners wanted to highlight that Russian warplanes "are killing so many families" and that the bombing "needs to stop."
"The people of the world are watching," she said.
In Moscow, the protesters also threw mannequin limbs at the British Embassy.
Based on reporting by BBC, EveningStandard.com, and TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website