Protesters and Police Clash in Russia
Russia continues to experience unrest and massive protests as a result of the arrest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Demonstrators are calling on Russian authorities to release Mr. Navalny from police custody. He was arrested on January 17 upon arriving in Moscow. The dissident leader had spent the last several months in Germany recuperating from an attempt on his life. Russian government authorities are widely believed to have been behind the poisoning, in part because of Alexei Navalny’s criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Instructors, click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download the PowerPoint Lecture Spark for “Protesters and Police Clash in Russia"
Links
“Tens of thousands join protests in support of Russian opposition leader Navalny”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alexey-navalny-russia-protests-today-2021-01-31/
“Kremlin meets Russian protesters with fiercest crackdown in years”
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/31/europe/russia-navalny-protests-intl/index.html
“Navalny: Thousands join fresh protests across Russia”
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55876033
“80 journalists arrested amid Russian protests”
https://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/536693-80-journalists-arrested-amid-russian-protests
“Antony Blinken attacks Russia over Navalny arrests”
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/31/blinken-russia-navalny-protests-464090
“Russian Prosecutors Urge Navalny Jail Term as Protests Swell”
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-01/russian-prosecutors-push-for-navalny-jail-term-as-protests-swell
“Analysis: What Alexey Navalny means for Russia in 2021”
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/analysis-what-alexey-navalny-means-for-russia-in-2021
“The Guardian view on Russia’s protests: Navalny isn’t Putin’s only problem”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/26/the-guardian-view-on-russias-protests-navalny-isnt-putins-only-problem
Assessment
- Writing: Describe why protesters are upset with President Putin and his government.
- Debate: The U.S. and the international community should intervene in Russia to protect the demonstrators.
- Poll: The protesters should use whatever means necessary to rein in the power of Vladimir Putin.
- Short Answer: What would be the ramifications if Russia decides to come down even harder on dissidents?
Current events quiz:
1) All the following are reasons why Russian protesters have taken to the streets EXCEPT _____.
a. corruption by government officials
b. the economy and declining wages
c. the trade war with North Korea
d. the arrest of Alexei Navalny
2) President Putin will most likely remain in control of Russia until _______.
a. 2024
b. 2028
c. 2032
d. 2036
3) Which of the following is true?
a. Protests have occurred in over 100 Russian cities.
b. Putin lives in a palace that allegedly costs over a trillion dollars.
c. The international community has remained silent concerning the Russian protests.
d. Alexei Navalny was poisoned and as a result died.
4) Russian authorities have detained thousands of protesters. (T/F)
5) President Navalny has recently been accused of a power grab. (T/F)
6) Vladimir Putin’s popularity has recently hit an all-time high. (T/F)
Answers:
1) C
2) D
3) A
4) True
5) False
6) False
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