(file photo)
30 January 2005 -- Antigovernment demonstrations took place in several Russian cities yesterday.
The largest was in St. Petersburg, where some 5,000 people marched in protest against a benefits-reform law that took effect this month. The law strips pensioners of many social benefits in return for a cash payment that elderly Russians say is insufficient.
Ekho Moskvy radio reported that about 4,000 people protested in Novgorod, a small city in northwestern Russia.
Demonstrators also blocked a main street in Saransk, a regional capital east of Moscow. And the news agency ITAR-TASS reported that about 400 people protested against the benefits law in Astrakhan, on the Caspian Sea.
Several similar protests against the benefits law were also held in Moscow.
(AP)
Ekho Moskvy radio reported that about 4,000 people protested in Novgorod, a small city in northwestern Russia.
Demonstrators also blocked a main street in Saransk, a regional capital east of Moscow. And the news agency ITAR-TASS reported that about 400 people protested against the benefits law in Astrakhan, on the Caspian Sea.
Several similar protests against the benefits law were also held in Moscow.
(AP)