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I got arrested
3 years ago
Two days ago, I took part in peaceful anti-war protests in the center of St. Petersburg, Russia.
With everything that happens because of Putin, with the lives that the Russian army takes, I could not remain silent, I had to act, to speak up.
So I did. And as soon as someone shouted the slogan "NO TO WAR" we were immediately seized.
They fed us once, took away phones and intimidated us. The head of the police department publicly and in person humiliated people. I saw him take young women out of the room we were being held in and as soon as they returned they told us in tears that he had threatened and tried to brainwash and humiliate them.
We were 14 people locked in a tiny 3x3m (10x10ft) room and police tried to deprive us of sleep. The policeman constantly woke us up and turned on the light if we tried to turn it off. More than half of us, including myself, had to sit and sleep on the cold floor.
After 23 hours of this shit, we were released only to find out that we were being dragged from our city to another town.
We were scared, hungry and exhausted, I couldn't get home because my phone died right after it was returned to me.
With everything that happens because of Putin, with the lives that the Russian army takes, I could not remain silent, I had to act, to speak up.
So I did. And as soon as someone shouted the slogan "NO TO WAR" we were immediately seized.
They fed us once, took away phones and intimidated us. The head of the police department publicly and in person humiliated people. I saw him take young women out of the room we were being held in and as soon as they returned they told us in tears that he had threatened and tried to brainwash and humiliate them.
We were 14 people locked in a tiny 3x3m (10x10ft) room and police tried to deprive us of sleep. The policeman constantly woke us up and turned on the light if we tried to turn it off. More than half of us, including myself, had to sit and sleep on the cold floor.
After 23 hours of this shit, we were released only to find out that we were being dragged from our city to another town.
We were scared, hungry and exhausted, I couldn't get home because my phone died right after it was returned to me.
Do share (either public or in private) the best orgs that can help. The next few weeks will be rough.
Be vigilant and stay safe.
You are amazing. Thank you for sharing your story, Jake. I won't stop sharing information until this is over.