Thousands Defy Fear to Bid Farewell to Alexei Navalny in Russia
On a cold winter’s day in Moscow, thousands of Russians gathered to bid farewell to opposition leader Alexei Navalny, defying the fear instilled by the authorities. Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s most vocal critic, died in jail on February 16, sparking outrage and accusations against the Russian president. Despite warnings that any protest would be illegal, the crowd chanted Navalny’s name and expressed their opposition to Putin, while the police stood by without intervening.
The funeral proceedings took place in Maryino, the area of Moscow where Navalny lived with his family. Despite heavy police presence, the line of people stretched over 1km, with supporters chanting slogans such as “no to war,” “Russia without Putin,” and “Russia will be free.” These slogans have previously landed many Russians in jail, but on this day, the authorities did not crack down on the expressions of support for Navalny.
Foreign leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, praised the courage of the mourners for defying the potential risk. Macron wrote on social media, “This is [Navalny’s] legacy. Memory eternal.” The memorial service took place at the Church of the Icon of Our Lady Quench My Sorrows, starting at 14:00 Moscow time. Navalny’s mother and father were seen sitting alongside his open coffin as mourners paid their respects.
As the church bell tolled and Navalny’s coffin was brought outside, people tossed roses and carnations onto the hearse, crying out, “We won’t forget you!” Many approached Navalny’s mother after the service to express their gratitude and ask for forgiveness. Navalny’s widow Yulia, their children, and his brother were not present at the funeral as they are believed to be living abroad. Yulia declared her intention to continue Navalny’s political work, making it unsafe for her to return to Russia.
The burial took place at Borisovskoye cemetery, where Navalny’s coffin was lowered into the ground to the sound of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and an orchestral rendition of the Terminator 2 theme song. Navalny’s spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, shared that Navalny considered Terminator 2 the best film in the world. As dusk fell, people continued to queue outside the cemetery, where a sign read, “Putin killed him but didn’t break him.”
While at least 91 people were arrested across Russia for participating in Navalny memorial events, the widespread crackdown that many had feared did not materialize. The authorities’ response to makeshift memorials after Navalny’s death had resulted in several hundred arrests. It remains possible that the police will seek out those who attended the funeral proceedings in the coming days.
Navalny’s funeral marked a significant opposition gathering in Russia since his jailing in January 2021. For almost a decade, Navalny had been able to organize protests and marches that attracted tens of thousands of people. With his passing, it is uncertain who will be able to garner the same level of popular support. Navalny’s legacy lives on through the bravery of those who defied fear to bid him farewell and continue the fight for change in Russia.
