The scene at the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God in Moscow's Maryino district was powerful. Mourners gathered on Friday to pay their final respects to Alexey Navalny, risking arrest to honor the man they see as their hero.
Each red carnation held by a supporter of the Russian dissident can be seen as a small act of defiance in a country where political opposition has been eliminated by the state. At the funeral, Navalny's supporters chanted "ne prostim" (we won't forgive), a message that appeared to be directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Navalny's funeral finally took place after facing bureaucratic delays and official confusion for two weeks. This may indicate the Kremlin's confidence, as the crackdown on dissent has left little room for genuine political opposition. It was a solemn occasion that marked the funeral of the Russian opposition movement, at least for now.
Despite a strong police presence to ensure the event remained peaceful, only 91 people were arrested in 19 cities across Russia on the day of Navalny's funeral. This number is significantly lower compared to the hundreds arrested during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has led to stricter penalties for criticizing the military in Russia. This has caused many Russians, including supporters of Navalny, to leave the country. Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow, currently outside the country, does not pose an immediate political challenge to Putin, who is expected to win re-election in two weeks. Despite this, the turnout for protests on Friday was impressive. The question remains: what lies ahead for Navalny's style of opposition?
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB. Mourners attend a funeral service and a farewell ceremony for Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny at the Soothe My Sorrows church in Moscow, Russia, March 1, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer
Mourners gathered at the Soothe My Sorrows church in Moscow, Russia on March 1, 2024, to attend a funeral service and farewell ceremony for Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny. The image may contain sensitive material that could be offensive or disturbing. It was captured by a Reuters photographer.
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Navalny came back to Russia after surviving nerve-agent poisoning in 2021 because he was committed to staying involved in politics. Despite facing multiple charges from state prosecutors, he remained active in digital activism.
Unfortunately, his decision came with consequences. Whether or not his death in prison was directly related, Navalny endured a harsh time in a distant penal colony near the Arctic Circle meant to weaken him physically and mentally.
Behind bars, Navalny continued to be a strong symbol of resistance, using humor to mock the prison administration. His sense of humor and knowledge of pop culture also showed through even after his passing. Kira Yarmysh, his spokeswoman, mentioned that music from a popular Arnold Schwarzenegger movie was played during his funeral.
"Alexey believed Terminator 2 was the greatest movie ever made," she stated. "The music from the final scene was played as a tribute to him."
Navalny will make a comeback, as famously stated by the Terminator.
In a recent live YouTube broadcast on Friday, Navalny's longtime aide Maria Pevchikh expressed her admiration, stating, “Schoolchildren learn about heroes in school, but here we have a real hero that we have been fortunate to collaborate with over the years. Navalny will go down in history as a monumental figure in Russia.”
While Putin remains in charge, the anti-corruption activist's name will not be visible in public spaces. This raises the question of how long it will take for Russian schoolchildren to learn about him in their history books.
Editor's P/S:
The article paints a poignant picture of the profound impact that Alexey Navalny has had on the Russian people. The mourners' defiant presence and chants of "ne prostim" serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of opposition that Navalny's unwavering activism has fostered. Despite the Kremlin's efforts to suppress dissent, the outpouring of support for Navalny at his funeral is a powerful reminder of the deep-seated yearning for change within Russian society.
However, the article also highlights the challenges that lie ahead for Navalny's legacy. With Putin's grip on power seemingly unyielding, it is unclear when or how his name will be openly celebrated in Russia. Nevertheless, the article suggests that Navalny's influence will continue to resonate through the actions of his supporters and the indelible mark he has left on the Russian consciousness.
