You're reading: Moscow protest march tries to reach Kremlin

A large opposition protest in Moscow on the eve of Vladimir Putin's inauguration as president has turned into a tense confrontation with police as demonstrators are leaving the sanctioned rally site and trying to reach the Kremlin.

A march by about 20,000 people to an island adjacent to the Kremlin proceeded peacefully Sunday afternoon until a small group tried to break off and cross a bridge across the Moscow River.

Riot police blocked the bridge. At the rally site, organizers called on others to go to the site with the aim of a sit-down protest.