Thousands Of Russians Protest Against Western Governor

BRYANSK, Russia -- Several thousand protesters in the western Russian city of Bryansk are demanding the immediate resignation of Governor Nikolai Denin, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

Thousands of vendors, industrial workers, artists, and intellectuals demanded that the region's leadership begin taking care of ordinary citizens who have been hit hard by the global economic downturn.

The demonstrators are blaming Denin for the closure of the local market, for overdue salaries at almost all major plants and factories in Bryansk, and for the hardships faced by local teachers, doctors, and artists.

The demonstration is distinct in that it was attended by people from many different branches of society in Bryansk.

Bryansk has a population of some 430,000 people and is near the Belarusian border.

It is an important center for steel and the production of machinery, including train cars and locomotives.