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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Russian protesters

22 replies

Hoghedge10 · 25/02/2022 18:38

Watching the Russian people protesting is just heartbreaking.

They are so incredibly brave. I was thinking if I was Russian would I be brave enough to protest and I feel ashamed to say that I'm not sure I would. I would want to but its pretty obvious that at least some of the people being arrested and loaded onto buses won't be seen again.

It's really made me question my bravery and my principles. Could I face being loaded onto one of those buses with the overwhelming feeling I could be shot once I got to the end of the bus ride.

I got quite emotional hearing one woman screaming as she was arrested.

I suppose its not really an AIBU I just feel awful about the whole shitshow and the fact I think we should be helping Ukraine but I'm not sure I'd be willing to sign up myself. It's made me feel slightly ashamed and pretty ineffectual.

OP posts:
Shimy · 25/02/2022 18:45

This is a situation where you can never truly know how you are going to react until it actually happens to you. You'd be amazed what you can do under duress. I bet if someone had asked all those Germans who hid Jews before the holocaust happened what they would do? i bet none of them would've said, 'i'd smuggle them into my home', or i'd make fake passports for each child and transport them by stealth to Israel. There's a lot of good as well evil in humans.

RichardMarxisinnocent · 25/02/2022 18:50

I spent time studying in Russia during Yeltsin's presidency, and I love the country. I cried my eyes out last night watching videos of the protests against the invasion. Those people are so brave. They know protesting is illegal, they know what the risks of doing so are, and yet they were still doing it.

Like you OP, I'd like to think I'd be brave enough to do the same, but I'm not sure if I would be. The Russian people I have met and known are some of the kindest, most generous, most hospitable people I have met. They deserve so much better than their current leadership /dictatorship.

purpleboy · 25/02/2022 18:54

So many Russian's will be caught up in this, it breaks my heart to think of the millions of lives being ruined by one fucking dickhead.

They were so brave to stand up against such a dictator, I hope to god they are all ok. Sad

TheVolturi · 25/02/2022 18:55

In extreme circumstances I don't know what I'd be capable of. Adrenaline for one gives us super strength and courage when we most need it. And if faced with war then I imagine your ordinary feelings would be out the window.

EKGEMS · 25/02/2022 18:57

I fear they've been dragged into torture chambers then eventually shipped to gulag camps-extreme I know but Putin is a blood thirsty and vicious predator whose evil knows no bounds

LizDoingTheCanCan · 25/02/2022 19:09

Keep in mind that, if our government get their way, that kind of protest will be illegal here in the UK.

If you thought Priti Patel's draconian measures would not affect you, please think again.

formalineadeline · 25/02/2022 19:12

I wouldn't be brave enough to protest in Belarus or Russia. I have great respect for everybody who does.

Drivingmisspotty · 25/02/2022 19:14

I’ve known and met a few people who have stood up and led protests/been part of political movements that have put them in danger and had death threats. They all expressed it as not feeling they had a choice. That the only right thing to do was to stand up. They didn’t see themselves as brave. It was massively humbling!

I’m with you. I would like to think I would stand for justice but I have a feeling I would just be too scared.

Original poster
Hoghedge10 · 25/02/2022 19:15

I wonder if there is a way to find the names of those arrested?
At least it might make the Russian Government slightly less inclined to make them dissappear if they think they could be traced?
We can't just let these people be shipped to God knows where with potentially anything happening to them surely?

OP posts:
Original poster
Hoghedge10 · 25/02/2022 19:18

It's really made me feel pretty awful and question, well pretty much everything.

I suppose if this carries on I may have to face up to my principles, if the UK gets involved seriously.

OP posts:
StoneofDestiny · 25/02/2022 19:30

There is a lot of bravery in Russia day to day. They have to deal with a corrupt government, thuggish secret police and lots of penalties put on them for not toeing the party line. The fear is around them and the reach of the Russian state can follow them across borders as we have seen in the UK.

QuantumHypothesis · 25/02/2022 19:32

I saw footage on twitter of a woman with a small baby strapped in a carrier on her front being dragged off by police at one Russian demonstration. Sad

StoneofDestiny · 25/02/2022 19:32

Russian bravery against women protesters heavily armed with flowers and carrier bags

Russian protesters
Russian protesters
StoneofDestiny · 25/02/2022 19:33

Such brave police.

QuantumHypothesis · 25/02/2022 19:33

twitter.com/joshuapotash/status/1497282853813559296?s=21

Saltedcaramelprofiterole · 25/02/2022 19:36

@LizDoingTheCanCan

Keep in mind that, if our government get their way, that kind of protest will be illegal here in the UK.

If you thought Priti Patel's draconian measures would not affect you, please think again.

Oh honestly. Even if it’s illegal here, the worst we’ll face is a slapped wrist and a fine. Absolutely no comparison to the risks these people are taking in Russia.
emuloc · 25/02/2022 19:52

@LizDoingTheCanCan

Keep in mind that, if our government get their way, that kind of protest will be illegal here in the UK.

If you thought Priti Patel's draconian measures would not affect you, please think again.

This.
Prescottdanni123 · 25/02/2022 20:07

I like to think that I could do it, but in all honesty, I don't know.

Pleasegodgotosleep · 25/02/2022 21:45

Was talking about this today. I am in awe of the bravery of those protesters. I know i absolutely couldn't do it because I couldn't stand to be taken from my kids.

FrancescaContini · 25/02/2022 21:54

@QuantumHypothesis

I saw footage on twitter of a woman with a small baby strapped in a carrier on her front being dragged off by police at one Russian demonstration. Sad
I have just seen this too on either Channel 4 news or BBC 24. Several policemen dragged her away, she had her baby in a sling on her chest. Her “crime” seemed to be simply holding up the peace sign. It was very shocking, very chilling. Where will she be taken?? Genuine question.
mumofEandE · 25/02/2022 21:56

@RichardMarxisinnocent

I spent time studying in Russia during Yeltsin's presidency, and I love the country. I cried my eyes out last night watching videos of the protests against the invasion. Those people are so brave. They know protesting is illegal, they know what the risks of doing so are, and yet they were still doing it.

Like you OP, I'd like to think I'd be brave enough to do the same, but I'm not sure if I would be. The Russian people I have met and known are some of the kindest, most generous, most hospitable people I have met. They deserve so much better than their current leadership /dictatorship.

I have lived in Russia and it is so sad for the normal Russian person - they don't want this either
Usou · 25/02/2022 22:31

The ordinary Russian people are most definitely not our enemies.

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