You're reading: Udaltsov predicts 150,000-strong protest in Moscow in September

The Left Front movement has announced preparations for a "fall offensive" and is planning to bring up to 150,000 people to a March of Millions in Moscow on September 15.

“We are launching a fall offensive against crooks and thieves and are planning to take between 120,000 and 150,000 people to a March of Millions in Moscow, and between 10,000 and 15,000 people in cities with population of over one million,” Left Front leader Sergei Udaltsov told a press conference in Kazan on Sunday.

The nationwide protest will have several goals, he said. “The main one is to hold early elections and for Russia to acquire a legitimate power,” the opposition leader said.

The working class should get involved in the protest movement, he said. “I am certain there are problems at many enterprises. We are proposing that strikes be held at such enterprises on September 15, at least the Italian style, and that will be a heavy blow to the current authorities,” Udaltsov said.

Yet another aim of the opposition’s “fall offensive” is a boycott campaign. “For example, we are proposing not to pay extortionate utility tariffs or protest fines for six months,” Udaltsov said. If everyone does the same, “the authorities will have something to think about,” he said.

Everyone, regardless of their nationality, religion or partisan views, who is unhappy about the current state of affairs is invited to join the Left Front protest movement, its coordinator said.

This evening Udaltsov is due to attend a rally organized by the Kazan Civil Union.