Updated July 16, 2008
Smiling at a triumph in Russia...
In early March, a very special woman named Annie told me that she and 800 other university students were given only a few days notice to leave the hostel (dormitory) in which they they were living with no alternative place to go. We kept in close contact during the days of the event and protests. Here is a bit of that story...
Americans love reality TV... real life is far better...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSKOjWXHmqA
in an IM to me, Annie wrote-
Annie says:
LOL OMG just got home!
Annie says:
FALSH MODE WAS SUPER (translation… flash mob)
Annie says:
waiting for TV reports
Annie says:
flash
Annie says:
about 500-600 pep;le
Annie says:
at big shopping mall played and sang!!!!
Annie says:
about 10 minutes
Annie says:
first we tried to escape police, were at the metro for an hours,
Annie says:
after 10 mi of playing flyers flew!!! 2000!!!! HELP AND SOS
Annie says:
super
Annie says:
SO HAPPY
Annie says:
we got it!
Annie says:
police weas waiting for us at another place...we won today!
Annie says:
TV and press hereabout 10 cars with them
Annie says:
chief person of academy was at student meeting before flash mob,stood there and smiled. NO WORD idiot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOcnyplmWbQ&feature=related
When zero hour came, nothing happened. Later the students were told they had until July 1st, then they would have to leave because the fire protection system was not functional. Two weeks later, notice was given that the fire protection system would be repaired by July 1st, implying a complete victory. Only time will tell if this is true.
July 16, 2008- Annie and her roommate now have an apartment. The dormitory is still the students. The fire alarm system is fixed. They won!
I am very proud of these brave young adults who understand democracy and stood for what is right.
Here are some pictures of the hostel/dormitory...
Protest signs saying "Help Us!" in the windows
Inside pictures of the hostel