© Vladimir Astapkovich / Sputnik
* Activists say 20,000 took part in protest; police 8,000
* Russian leader faces rising social unrest ahead of re-election
Thousands of people jammed the Russian capital to protest a plan to demolish decades-old apartment blocks housing more than a million people, delivering a new challenge for President Vladimir Putin as he gears up for re-election in less than a year.
About 20,000 people rallied Sunday in Sakharov Prospect in Moscow’s downtown, according to an activist group that monitors attendance at demonstrations. Police, who stopped Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny from joining the protest, said 8,000 took part.
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WNU Editor: Know the neighbourhood. My aunt lived there until she got her own apartment/condo (courtesy of the Russian government) a few years ago. She did not want to leave .... even when my cousins and I offered her a better place to live. But she moved when they cut off everything and convinced her to move .... and I will admit .... to a better place. The drama that I and my cousins had to go through .... sighhh ... I digress. As for the thousands who still live there .... I can understand their reluctance. Even though the entire place is a dump .... it is still home to many of its residents, and they are worried that they will not be taken care of if they are evicted. Housing is insanely expensive in Moscow right now. This community is also Putin's base .... and trust me on this one .... he is paying close attention to what is happening there,
More News On Today's Housing Demonstration In Moscow
Thousands protest in Moscow against housing resettlement plan -- Reuters
Moscow protests over demolition of Soviet-era homes -- BBC
Thousands Protest In Moscow Against Plan To Raze Soviet-Era Housing -- RFE
Protest against massive redevelopment project held in Moscow -- RT
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