And he pulled it off.
Moscow officials had agreed to allow Navalny's rally, but late Sunday, he called for a different location, saying official interference had prevented contractors from erecting a stage at the agreed-upon venue.
She adds that while the mood in the square had seemed peaceful earlier Monday, "the situation is changing very quickly" with "images streaming in of police and protesters pushing toward one another" as bystanders struggle to get out of the way.
Like the demonstrations in March, Monday's protest attracted a large number of young people, including schoolchildren, who had in the past not been major participants in the round of anti-Kremlin rallies in 2011-2012.
Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny was detained in Moscow on Monday as he headed to a protest in Moscow, as thousands of his supporters rallied across the country. Smaller rallies also gathered in Krasnoyarsk, Kazan, Tomsk, Vladivostok and many other cities. As a result of a felony conviction, Navalny is technically barred from running, but even if he persuades the authorities to let him run, it's highly unlikely he'd unseat Putin. Authorities said 500 had been arrested during the demonstrations in St. Petersburg. Traditionally, families stroll Moscow's boulevards, enjoying a day off. Concerts are usually held. Navalny was sentenced to 15 days in jail.
Sure enough, a surreal scene unfolded as protesters and relaxation-seeking Muscovites descended on the same areas in the city center. The day's events included several military reenactments planned on Tverskaya to commemorate Russia's history.
"There are people walking around the streets in World War I uniforms", Mary Louise says.
That is likely to embolden him to call for more protests and keep Putin, who is expected to run for and win re-election next year, under rare domestic pressure.
The government has certainly taken notice of previous protests.
Roman, a 19-year-old student, said Navalny's campaign against official corruption had struck a chord. The government may be keeping quiet, but they definitely would notice.
"I want changes", wrote Navalny in a blog post last week.
Bear surprises runners by briefly joining Colorado race
Runners got a fright when a bear briefly joined a race in the U.S. state of Colorado. I'd probably be right behind him", wrote Kylah Sutz Edgin .
A video he made accusing Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, a Putin ally, of living far beyond his means has garnered over 22 million online views to date.
Monday's protests could demonstrate that the opposition has significant support throughout the vast country.
However, few Russians blame Putin: only 17% think corruption has worsened since he became President.
Presidential elections are slated for March of next year.
Navalny has announced his candidacy for the presidential election in 2018. Huge numbers of riot police were right behind them.
The Reuters news agency reported that more than 100 people were arrested in Moscow, while according to the NGO OVD-Info 121 people were arrested in Moscow and a further 137 were arrested in St Petersburg.
Moscow police blocked part of the street with big dump trucks in a bid to block the movement of protesters.
The lawyer and political activist had earlier urged his supporters to join demonstations planned across the country for Monday June 12, which is also a national holiday in Russian Federation.
People gather for an anti-corruption rally in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday. The sign reads "A thief should sit in jail!".
Navalny himself never reached the protest.
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