A person with an active life position and not indifferent to what is happening in his country can express his point of view or attract the public to the burning problem. For this, there are rallies. It is important to remember that there is a fine line between attention grabbing and disorder.
What is a rally? How to organize it? And what problems can participants and organizers have with the law? These, as well as many other issues are discussed below.
A look into the past
The first official political rally in the USSR was held on Pushkin Square in December 1965. This event was called "publicity rally." This action was organized by dissidents in defense of the arrested writers. The wounds from the Stalinist repressions were still fresh in the memory of society, which was what the organizers focused on. In the propaganda campaigns, which were distributed in advance, it was stated that the arrest was illegal and citizens were obliged to show their active position and achieve publicity in court.
What is a rally, the participants perfectly understood and behaved peacefully. About 200 people participated, mostly students. Several police detachments and combatants arrived at the venue in advance. Many participants were expelled from educational institutions.
By the way, the rally played a role, and the court was open (a significant influence was exerted by foreign media who sanctified the rally in their publications). The writers were sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 5 to 7 years for transferring their works to print by foreign editions.
What is a rally today?
Today, Russian society is reviving this phenomenon. Increasingly, the media provide information about political rallies held before the election or workers rallies before strikes.
Today, young people often know about this phenomenon only by talking. Therefore, it is worth analyzing three main questions:
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What is a rally? In Russia, this is a meeting of a large number of people with the aim of discussing accumulated issues, making demands or expressing protests, solidarity. At least 15 people must participate in the rally.
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Who conducts it and why? It can be organized by any private person or representative of a political, public organization (if he has not been previously convicted). It is held in order to attract attention, to express their solidarity. Political rallies organize parties in order to "tarnish" opponents and recruit more like-minded people. For organizers, this is primarily a job.
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Who is coming and why? Today anyone can attend the rally. Typically, participants are people with an active lifestyle, sharing the questions and demands of the protesters, and just curious citizens. It is worth noting that if the scenario of the rally “fails” and a brawl ensues with the authorities, any participant can be punished regardless of the purpose of his stay at the event.
Types and forms of carrying out
In modern society, the following types of rallies are found:
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political;
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social or social;
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solemn;
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mourning.
Large events are often held in the form of a “concert rally”, when the speech of the organizers and public, political figures alternates with the performances of artists.
A rally-procession can also be held when the participants arrive at the appointed place, attend the organizers’speeches, and then leave for the route agreed upon in advance. Such an event is held to attract attention, on the way the organizers can shout slogans and pass posters to the participants.
A rally does not have to take place at a monument or in a square. Very often these are called small meetings in nature, in the office or in the hall, because like-minded people discuss topical issues, put forward demands, seek solutions and try to attract attention.
How to spend?
We found out what a rally is, and if you decide to hold such an event yourself, you should know several important points:
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Assemble a team of organizers.
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Formulate an application for the event. It must indicate the place, time, purpose and form of the meeting, the number of participants, the use of sound reinforcing means, methods of organizing medical care and policing, name and contacts of at least three organizers.
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The application must be submitted to the executive authorities not later than 10 days, but not earlier than 15 days before the expected date.
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In turn, the authorities will give you confirmation of receipt of the application. If necessary, they will formally and reasonably require a change to the application (date, venue). An authorized representative will be appointed. Within 3 working days, everything should be agreed.
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Gather participants, campaign, write slogans, draw posters, prepare a script for the rally. By the way, it is recommended to draw up a plan in advance, in which the speeches of the speakers in time and the questions you want to raise will be indicated.
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On the appointed day, be careful and monitor compliance with the rule of law at your event.
Holding and participating in the rally is a rather serious event, therefore it is important to observe the legality of one’s actions. Before you “conceive” everything, it is worth considering whether there is a more effective way to attract attention.
The meeting and the law
The Constitution of the Russian Federation enshrines the right of citizens to gather for peaceful rallies.
But there are a lot of amendments and, accordingly, fines in Russia:
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participants should not wear masks;
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fines for unauthorized rallies and violations against them have increased, now you can be fined in the amount of 20, 000 to 500, 000 rubles;
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the organizer is considered not only the person indicated in the application, but also an active citizen who actually performs the role of the organizer, who bears all responsibility;
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a new sentence has been introduced, except for a fine and administrative arrest: a court may order community service.
Terrible shots of dispersal of rallies are sometimes shown on television. Clashes between police officers and an angry mob often lead to sad consequences for both participants in the meeting and the public at large.
