Russia Article 31 Protest Photos

Moscow

Interior Ministry officers detain an opposition activist during a protest rally to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution, which guarantees the right of assembly, in Moscow March 31, 2012. Reuters

A detained participant displays a sign from the window of a police van during a protest to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution in Moscow July 31, 2012. Activists gather on the 31st day of the month to support Article 31 of the Russian constitution -- the right to free assembly. Reuters

Police officers detain a protester during an unsanctioned opposition rally in downtown Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. Reuters

Police officers detain opposition leader Eduard Limonov, third from left, during an unsanctioned opposition rally in downtown Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 31, 2012.  AP

Eduard Limonov, long time radical activist, former leader of banned National Bolshevik Party speaks to The Associated Press in Moscow on Tuesday, July 31, 2012.  AP

An opposition protester shout slogans from the police van during an unsanctioned opposition rally in downtown Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. AP

A participant shouts slogans in front of a police cordon during a protest to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution in Moscow July 31, 2012. Reuters

St Petersburg

A participant shouts as he is detained by police during a protest to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution in St. Petersburg July 31, 2012. Activists gather on the 31st day of the month to support Article 31 of the Russian constitution -- the right to free assembly. Reuters

Participants sit during a protest to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution in St. Petersburg July 31, 2012. Activists gather on the 31st day of the month to support Article 31 of the Russian constitution -- the right to free assembly. The placard reads "I don't care about your fines." Reuters

Russian riot policemen detain an opposition supporter in central St.Petersburg on May 31, 2012 during unauthorized rally to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution which guarantees freedom of assembly. Getty

A participant is detained by the police during a protest to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution in St. Petersburg July 31, 2012. Reuters

Police officers detain Olga Kurnosova, the leader of the St. Petersburg branch of Garry Kasparov's United Civil Front movement, during a protest to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution in St.Petersburg, August 31, 2011. Reuters

Police officers detain activists during a protest to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution in St.Petersburg August 31, 2011. Article 31 guarantees the right of assembly. Reuters