Russia's Leftist Opposition Protests Price Hikes, 'Fake News' Legislation

Several hundred supporters of mainly leftist opposition forces in Russia gathered in Moscow on March 17 to call for "a change of social and political course" in the country. They rallied against recent pension reforms that raised the age of retirement, a series of tax hikes, and rising prices for goods, services, and housing. Protest organizers and speakers, including Left Front party leader Sergei Udaltsov and former Russia-backed Ukrainian separatist military commander Igor Strelkov, also spoke against recent legislation that would criminalize what Russian authorities deem to be "fake news" or "insults" against authorities.