General Strike! Riots break out as workers refuse to work!

[Federated Russias]

Moscow Militia have been called out to break up a general strike (all strikes are illegal in Federated Russias) and Mayor Yevgeni Larzov has given the workers involved (which range from teachers to factory workers to students to professionals and businessmen) 4 hours to return to work or be arrested and charged with sabotage (a crime punishable by 15 years in the gulag). The Moscow Prosecutor, Ilya D. Stepanov, however, has resigned in protest and urged his successor not to prosecute anyone involved in the strike. He also criticized the "illegal trial and condemnation of Deputy Premier Samsonov".

Many of the strikers have carried images of Samsonov and demanded amnesty for him. The general feeling is apparently that the government has been so corrupted that even the Deputy Premier can be arrested if he doesn't have the right cash for bribery. Protesters have called for investigation of the Moscow Militia and a purge of its commanders.

An estimated 77,000 strikers are parading near the Kremlin. There are rumors that General Alexeyev plans to impose martial-law and a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

Ilya Dimitrovich Stepanov, Former Moscow Prosecutor

Mayor Yevgeni S. Larzov

[British Kuwait]

The general public of British Kuwait were appalled upon hearing about the Russian government's actions toward the protests. President Neal Kennedy issued this statement to the press regarding this issue: "In a world where corruption and cruelty can take hold of nations and their governments, It is only right that the people are able to take a stand and have their voices heard. We very much disapprove of this attempt to silence the masses".

[Federated Russias]

Moscow Militia have been unable to enforce the latest directives from Mayor Larzov and the Commander of the Militia has been sacked as a result. Despite this, the tumult continues to grow, and clashes between strikers and police have claimed some 34 lives so far. Furthermore, the work stoppage has resulted in nearly zero productivity in the capital of the UFR, and General Alexeyev has announced a curfew in effect from 6 pm to 6 am. He has also warned that martial-law is the next step in the "restoration of national unity and the eradication of traitorous saboteurs".

[British Kuwait]

"Restoration of national unity?!" cried Edward Wallace, B.K Minister of Foreign Affairs to his secretary upon watching the latest news report from the Federated Russias. "How can this blood shed, corruption, and a crippling of the economy possibly unite a nation?!". The nation of B.K watches dumb founded by this atrosity to civil rights. The words "Something definitely has to be done" are on everyone's mind.

[North cavan]

The Government of North Cavan is quite offended of the Minimal Rights of the Average Citizen....

[Tryphalia]

Darth Arcadius expresses full support to the government of Federated Russias and urges the restoration of "peace and prosperity". He also invites General Alexeyev to come to Tryphalia to receive some "mentoring and counsel in spiritual matters".

He says that the other governments "do not need to worry about this matter. It is of no concern to you. You can go back to your normal lives in peace."

[British Kuwait]

"No concern of ours?" says Edward wallace, addressing Darth Arcadius. "Humanity, and its well being is our concern as world governments, my good sir".

[North cavan]

The Government if North Cavan agrees here with British Kuwait at least in part.
No modern country can forbid workers from striking like this.

[Sakodate]

National Flag


Flag of the Congress of Trade Unions




Official Response of the Government of Sakodate
From the Office of Commissary for Foreign Affairs Nagao Aya


The Government of Sakodate is appalled by the reaction of the Government of Federated Russias to the General Strike. We hereby urge the Government to come to the negotiating table with the strikers. To the strikers the Government of Sakodate wishes to express solidarity as fellow workers. The right to strike should be a universal one.

[British Kuwait]

National Flag


Flag of the Congress of Trade Unions




Official Response of the Government of Sakodate
From the Office of Commissary for Foreign Affairs Nagao Aya


The Government of Sakodate is appalled by the reaction of the Government of Federated Russias to the General Strike. We hereby urge the Government to come to the negotiating table with the strikers. To the strikers the Government of Sakodate wishes to express solidarity as fellow workers. The right to strike should be a universal one.

As does the government of British Kuwait. When your first reaction to a situation like this is violence and force instead of peaceful negotiation, your global reputation suffers.

[Derpeda]

The Republic of Derpeda
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Direct statement from Gregori Phinney, President of Derpeda:

"News is slow to reach Derpeda and her people. But such an appealing series of events has shocked my small nation, and we can't stand by and watch as thousands suffer the oppression of a country with such terrible civil rights practices. As I sit here, I feel that my actions are limited. That my influence is small and my voice but a whisper in the crowd. But let it be known: The Republic of Derpeda, were freedom is the right of all citizens, officially denounce the actions of the Federated Russias".

As transcribed by,
Samantha Talbot
National Secretary

[Federated Russias]

General Alexeyev has resigned and appointed a successor, General Oleg Vastinov, Minister of War, admitting that he has failed to calm the national "hysteria" over the Samsonov trial. General Vastinov has proclaimed martial-law and given Alexeyev "honorable retirement" with the rank of Marshal. The protests have continued despite the apparent arrival of military police on the scene. General Vastinov, however, did commute the death sentences to exile for life.

Moscow Mayor Yevgeni Larzov has called for the government to dissolve itself, however, and appoint "a civilian government that preserve the same basic principles, since the citizenry have clearly lost faith in military juntas". The Patriarch Cyril, however, has firmly supported the government, which has caused many to also call for him to step down as head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

[Licana]

Statement on behalf of the Republic of Licana
We as a nation are shocked and appalled by the reports our government is receiving both from Federated Russias. Although we are a small nation, new to International politics, we urged the Federated Russias to stand down and attempt a peaceful resolution to these riots. Although our influence is small, we must side with Mayor Larzov and the civilians of Federated Russias. Again, I MUST urge you to bring a peaceful end to these riots, if you keep fighting violence with violence, you are going to end up in a civil war.

Prime Minister Harold Konan
Acting International Representative of The Republic of Licana

[Federated Russias]

General Vastinov, after an extremely brief tenure of office, has also resigned and turned the powers of head of state over to Moscow Mayor Yevgeni Larzov, the so-called voice of moderation in the crisis. Larzov has declared himself President and immediately ordered the army to return to its barracks, effectively ending the state of martial-law. He has also ordered Vastinov to resign his commission in the army, though he has given him the baton of a marshal on the same basis as his predecessor. Vastinov will get a marshal's pension as well, just like Alexeyev.

His next step has been to dismiss the entire pro-junta (albeit mostly civilian) cabinet and appoint a new one, headed by former Prosecutor Stepanov. The new Premier's first duty is to negotiate on the President's behalf with the strikers, so as to resolve the crisis once and for all.

[Federated Russias]

Per the discussions reached with the strikers (in record time), President Larzov and Premier Stepanov have agreed to the following in exchange for an end to the strike and a return of the productivity stalled by it:

1. A complete amnesty for all strikers.
2. A revocation of the curfew.
3. The reversal of the convictions of former Deputy Premier Grigori I. Samsonov and "Irina".
4. The permanent closing of the gulags and a general amnesty for all of their inmates.
5. The release of all other political prisoners.
6. The repeal of the Directives that censor political speech and allow for the gulags.
7. The removal of Patriarch Cyril.
8. A repeal of anti-Semitic and other religiously discriminatory laws.
9. Amnesty for the Markova sisters.
10. Restoration of the right to form trade associations and labor unions, as well as the right to strike.
11. Inclusion of Samsonov in the government in at least his old capacity, as well as inclusion of the Markova sisters.
12. Restoration of the rights to fair and public trials, legal counsel for the accused, confrontation of the accuser, and protections from double jeopardy and self-incrimination.
13. Restoration of the legal requirement for judicial warrants prior to search and seizure.
14. Restoration of the right to form opposition parties.
15. National, regional, provincial, and local elections.
16. The draft of a Constitution that will be presented to the electorate in a plebiscite.

Essentially, they are demanding the reinstatement of political democracy to a large extent (though they didn't ask for responsible government or an elected head of state).

Reportedly, the workers are already beginning to go home and prepare for the next day of work, while the government is preparing to implement these reforms. The dictatorship that has been in place since Alexeyev's coup against President Strykov appears to be history, due to the persistence of the Muscovite populace, who bravely defied the Federal Russian Army and the Federal Government in a showdown the likes of which the country hadn't seen since 1991.

Striker, Photographer, and Negotiator Julya Sergeyevna Korsikova (on one of her less political, more easygoing days)

[Federated Russias]

The special tribunals have also been disbanded, and some 12,000 people in total received a general amnesty. More than 4,800 people consigned to slave labor in the camps are en route by the state-run railway to their homes throughout the Rodina.

Deputy Premier Grigori I. Samsonov has been reinstated in his office and was greeted enthusiastically by thousands of Muscovites as he headed to the Kremlin to work. Even his estranged wife, Galina Fedorovna Samsonova expressed support.

As for "Irina", her release from custody was more bittersweet, but she at least was no longer under arrest. She reportedly had plans to use her new celebrity to land singing parts in the cabaret scene. She also filed suit against the City of Moscow, claiming that she was both physically and sexually assaulted while in Militia custody. She said that she wanted to hold them accountable for the rape, as well as to receive the damages that she was owed for the brutal, traumatic, and humiliating arrest. There was no comment from Interim Mayor Dmitri N. Mikhailov or any other municipal officials.

Patriarch Cyril has been removed as head of the Russian Orthodox Church, and a session of the Holy Synod is expected to choose his successor. This seems to confirm rumors that the government is distancing itself from the Church, in preparation for formal secularization of the State.

The government issued more decrees, this morning, repealing a variety of religious and sexually repressive laws. The latter was solely directed against the GLBT community, given the traditional tolerance of heterosexual vice by the State and the equally conventional homophobia of Russian society. The former were largely intended to punish foreign sects, "cults", atheists, and Jews. Particularly harsh was the venom directed against Bahai, Scientologists, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses. The new regime seems determined to right those wrongs, mostly at the insistence of Premier Stepanov.

[Fson]

The Fsonian parliament condemns the actions of the Russian government and wishes the workers luck in their struggle for freedom, However it also urges other nations to let the Russians deal with this on their own and not to get involved.

[Federated Russias]

The Fsonian parliament condemns the actions of the Russian government and wishes the workers luck in their struggle for freedom, However it also urges other nations to let the Russians deal with this on their own and not to get involved.

OOC: The crisis is actually over, which you would know if you had read the entire thread.

[Sakodate]

National Flag


Flag of the Congress of Trade Unions




Official Response of the Government of Sakodate
From the Office of Commissary for Foreign Affairs Nagao Aya

The Government of Sakodate wishes to forward its congratulations to the new Government of Federated Russias. The Government of Sakodate also wishes to make it known to we will continue to watch events, and the new democracy's course.

[Federated Russias]

National Flag


Flag of the Congress of Trade Unions




Official Response of the Government of Sakodate
From the Office of Commissary for Foreign Affairs Nagao Aya

The Government of Sakodate wishes to forward its congratulations to the new Government of Federated Russias. The Government of Sakodate also wishes to make it known to we will continue to watch events, and the new democracy's course.

We thank you firmly for your support and hope not to disappoint you.

Deputy Premier Grigori Ilyich Samsonov

[Scravor]

The Glorious Empire of Scravor is saddened to see another formerly great nation brought low by its rebellious, foolish peasants and the leaching, parasitic evil known as democracy. If there are any within Federated Russias who still see sense, we extol them to come to Scravor, where they will surely receive many titles from the Emperor.

May the Emperor live a thousand years,
Baron Jan von Meerckl