The State Duma on July 3 heard a bill to reform the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). Opponents of the proposed reform -- which would combine three of Russia's science academies and take control of property away from the RAS -- picketed the State Duma in Moscow. Protesters said the action symbolizes "RAS's funeral" with some participants putting wreaths and black ribbons in front of a gravestone.
Protest Against Reform Of Russian Academy Of Sciences
![A tombstone symbolizing the death of the Academy of Sciences, as protesters say the proposed reform would destroy the institution.](https://gdb.rferl.org/674089d8-a325-423c-b27d-c01f1baff919_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A tombstone symbolizing the death of the Academy of Sciences, as protesters say the proposed reform would destroy the institution.
![](https://gdb.rferl.org/b118861a-f6f2-45e9-8002-e571e35ab616_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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![Police look on at demonstrators in front of the State Duma.](https://gdb.rferl.org/4cefb620-6b07-4206-b9e4-81e639dff631_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Police look on at demonstrators in front of the State Duma.
![](https://gdb.rferl.org/7f60fce0-7f5a-4935-8185-6e86c68a9cfc_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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![The tombstone and flowers at an entrance to the State Duma.](https://gdb.rferl.org/034d9eac-3353-4583-a01e-3f599c455092_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The tombstone and flowers at an entrance to the State Duma.
![](https://gdb.rferl.org/592a4e26-a32b-4bf5-9cc9-781df4ceef7f_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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![](https://gdb.rferl.org/f8399543-a93a-494b-a9cf-65bd2e9c4025_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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![](https://gdb.rferl.org/c17d8c78-e28c-461b-a9d1-fa9df9219a78_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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![](https://gdb.rferl.org/cf44c0fa-ac9f-4619-a59d-00d893f4dab6_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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![A few Duma deputies stopped to talk with the protesters.](https://gdb.rferl.org/344f375a-4cf8-4a2d-b44c-2b1a64888cee_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A few Duma deputies stopped to talk with the protesters.
![Duma Deputy Ivan Melnikov stopped to talk with the protesters.](https://gdb.rferl.org/268a014f-db7a-4019-ac7f-3c359a8aac05_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Duma Deputy Ivan Melnikov stopped to talk with the protesters.
![](https://gdb.rferl.org/ebf7347f-3944-4b48-8c8a-dec33eefa114_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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