As Economy Sinks, Russians Protest

MOSCOW


The government has allocated billions of dollars to bail out troubled banks and companies but has yet to put forward a clear long-term strategy for dealing with mounting unemployment and a rapidly devaluing ruble.

Other demonstrations against the government, as well as some in support, were held in several cities throughout the country, Russian news agencies reported.

About 1,000 people attended a rally organized by the Russian Communist Party in Moscow, calling for a return of the centralized economic policies of the Soviet Union, according to news agencies. The authorities approved the rally, and cordons of riot police officers watched over the march but did not interfere.

NY Times