Moscow news
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15-Feb-2007
Russian young activists begin action of protest at Estonia embassy
MOSCOW, February 15 (Itar-Tass) - Activists of the youth movement ?United Russia Youth Guard? began a three-day rally at the Estonian Embassy in Moscow on Thursday. They are protesting against the approval by the Estonian parliament of the law, which allows for dismantling the Monument to Soldier-Liberator in Tallinn and other similar monuments in Estonia.
Groups of 15-20 young activists substituting each other every three hours will stay at the Estonian Embassy in downtown Moscow every day from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. They are carrying flags and placards reading ?Hands off the Russian soldier?, ?Hitler is a hero of Estonia, ?Protect the memory about liberator soldiers?.
Spokeswoman for the Moscow United Russia Youth Guard headquarters Polina Orekhova told Itar-Tass, ?We are protesting against the demolishment of monuments to Soviet liberator-soldiers, encroachment on the rights and freedoms of Russian speakers in Estonia and against attempts of the Estonian government to rewrite the history as it thinks fit, declaring fascists, who fought in the Waffen SS troops, ?national heroes, who fought for the independence of the country.?
Youth Guard activists also believe it inadmissible that the Estonian parliament will approve amendments in the law on holidays and festive dates, which allows for announcing September 22 a day of mourning for ?liberation fighters? ? soldiers of the Estonian division Waffen SS.? ?This day was earlier celebrated as the Day of Tallinn liberation from fascist invaders,? United Russia Youth Guard activists said.
On Thursday, the Estonian parliament approved the third reading of the law on elimination of forbidden facilities, which allows for dismantling the Monument to Soldier-Liberator from the Nazi occupation in downtown Tallinn.
Itar Tass