@navalny Putin raised Russia's pension age b/c wars—in Syria, Ukraine, on democracy—and corruption are costly. He tries silencing opposition, arresting their leaders, beating supporters. Russians persist. They protest bc they believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything✊ 
@navalny More photos from today's #protests in #Russia against Kremlin pension reform plan to raise the retirement age, via @novaya_gazeta. Among the great signs: "Putin, when are you going to retire?" novayagazeta.ru/articles/2018/…
Many think Russians support Putin b/c of conservative values, nationalism & making Russia a “great power” again. But it's the economy too, damaged by corruption, wars, sanctions. Pension reform threatens Putin b/c it mars his image as creator & protector of post-Soviet prosperity
This is a great piece explaining why Russia's pension reform may be an existential crisis for the Putin regime, by historian @kristy_ironside. Required background reading for understanding today's protests (and crackdown) washingtonpost.com/news/made-by-h…
Russia’s brilliant fmr Dep Energy Minister, economist & opposition leader Vladimir Milov @v_milov explains pension reform is a ripoff & says to join Moscow protests in Pushkin Sq. The following day, he was arrested. Like Navalny, he missed today’s protests.
@v_milov Another poignant image from the #protests in #Russia. Police grab & arrest a man as his toddler daughter shrieks frantically and cries "PAPA! PAPA!" The father's hauled off shouting "FREEDOM!"✊ It's her future he's out there for. video via @Kirilenko_a
