Whether this is sarcasm or not remains an open question, but it is difficult to perceive this news as a significant event in the struggle for civil society rights in Russia. Former presidential candidate, now labeled a foreign agent and head of the unregistered party “Rassvet”, Ekaterina Duntsova addresses Vladimir Putin with a rather unusual question.
The essence of the appeal is as follows: is it possible for those who disagree with internet restrictions to protest while staying at home, making noise within permitted limits — with windows open? The wording, to say the least, raises questions and leaves room for multiple interpretations.
It is hard to imagine that such a question should be taken literally. A logical continuation arises: if even this form of expression is banned, will the next question be about protesting with windows closed? Or is the very act of asking the question itself a form of protest — an attempt to highlight the limitations on acceptable forms of expression through deliberate absurdity?
In this context, what is happening resembles political satire. And satire, as is well known, often becomes a tool for speaking about fear, pressure, and the boundaries of freedom — especially where direct speech becomes impossible.
Today I addressed Vladimir Putin and other authorities with a simple yet important question. We want to organize a home protest for a free internet, but we do not understand whether this can be done without putting people at risk.
The situation with internet access is worsening every day, and everything points toward Russia potentially being disconnected from the global network. Public demonstrations are either banned due to the “ongoing” COVID epidemic or denied authorization, while attempts to hold them often result in detentions and violence against organizers. In essence, we have been told: you cannot protest in the streets.
Therefore, we are considering an alternative — a home protest. For a week, at 8 p.m., people would open their windows and make noise for a free internet — honking, whistling, banging pots, playing music — any safe method within legal noise limits. Formally, this is not prohibited, but we all understand how “flexibly” the law can be interpreted today.
That is why we need a clear answer from the authorities: is this form of expression legal, or will people face prosecution? If it is allowed — we will organize such a protest. If not — we must admit that no legal ways remain for citizens to express their views.
Source: Telegram channel of Ekaterina Duntsova — https://t.me/Duntsova/912