'Migalka' uprisings sweep Russia
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 14, 2006 10:00
The blue siren lamp used on the tops of cars by government bureaucrats and the very wealthy in Russia has spawned a nation-wide protest by regular citizens who are sick of having the streets manipulated by these often misused instruments. Referred to as "migalka" in Russian, these blue sirens allow cars that have them to speed, to ignore traffic lights, and even to use sidewalks when deemed necessary. And now, in 20 large cities across the country, there are protests being organized by ordinary drivers, under the auspices of the Russian Automobile Lovers Foundation.
Hundreds of drivers gathered in Moscow's Krilatsoye neighborhood this week to show their anger with misuse of the "migalka," and similar shows are being organized around the country.
The tipping point for these protests, explains Vessislav Lisakov, the head of the Automobile Lovers Foundation, was an incident which occured earlier last year. According to Lisakov, "In Altay, the area governor, Mihail Evdokimov, was in his official car, a Mercedes, speeding (with a migalka on top of course) at 120km an hour. He hit normal citizen Oleg Sherbinski's Toyota at this speed. Sherbinski did not die, but in court, was handed a 4 year prison sentence for 'not making way for a state car.' This case shows how helpless normal citizens are against the bureacracy." Sherbinski's case has become the poster child for the anti-migalka movement in Russia, with posters at rallies proclaiming "Today Sherbinski, tomorrow you."
The tipping point for these protests, explains Vessislav Lisakov, the head of the Automobile Lovers Foundation, was an incident which occured earlier last year. According to Lisakov, "In Altay, the area governor, Mihail Evdokimov, was in his official car, a Mercedes, speeding (with a migalka on top of course) at 120km an hour. He hit normal citizen Oleg Sherbinski's Toyota at this speed. Sherbinski did not die, but in court, was handed a 4 year prison sentence for 'not making way for a state car.' This case shows how helpless normal citizens are against the bureacracy." Sherbinski's case has become the poster child for the anti-migalka movement in Russia, with posters at rallies proclaiming "Today Sherbinski, tomorrow you."