One voice, the adage goes, makes more noise than 1,000 voices that remain silent.
Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor of Russian state TV’s Channel One, staged a one-woman protest by interrupting a live broadcast with a sign that translates as “Stop the war. Don’t believe in propaganda. They’re lying to you.” She was immediately detained and her whereabouts are unknown, but anyone challenging official propaganda faces 15 years in prison. She left a message on social media before her protest; here’s a translated text.
Will it matter? Did Ovsyannikova make her sacrifice in vain? It’s too soon to say, but some think it’s a big deal because it’s the first sign of dissent many Russians have seen.
This was the opening song on the Wailin’ Jennys’ 2004 debut album, “40 Days.” It remains the Winnipeg trio’s signature tune.
