Union of Right Forces to Collect 1 Million Signatures against Re-erection of Felix Dzerzhinsky Statue in Moscow

The Union of Right Forces (URF) intends to collect 1 million signatures against the re-erection of the statue of Felix Dzerzhinsky on Lubyanka Square in Moscow. According to the URF's press office, the gathering of signatures will begin today at 14.00 on Lubyanka Square.

Boris Nemtsov, the head of the URF in the State Duma, Irina Khakamada, a deputy speaker of the Duma, and other URF Duma deputies are expected to take part in the event. After their speeches a picket will be organised. The signatures gathered will be handed to the Mayor of Moscow.

'We can't view the Dzerzhinsky statue simply as a work of art,' said Nemtsov. 'It is a symbol of a past era, and resurrecting such symbols will put the ideas of restricting democracy and reintroducing censorship into people's heads'.