Dozens of protesters rallied in New York City on Sunday near the Russian permanent mission to the United Nations to denounce the murder of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov, despite fear of reprisals to themselves or family members back in Russia.
Protesters, most of them of Russian or Ukrainian origin, held photographs of the slain opposition leader. Many carried signs that read "Putin Plague of 21st Century" and "Stop Dictator Putin - Stop Murderers," referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is denounced as an autocrat by a small but vocal opposition.
The rally, staged on the same day that tens of thousands of Russians marched through central Moscow, featured a dash of street theater. A young Russian student had locked himself into a hand-made cardboard cage, which he said symbolized the struggle of political prisoners.
"I know a lot of people who are discouraged to come because they're scared that their pictures or names appearing in the news will cause problems for their relatives back in Russia," Dimitry Smelansky, a 50-year old engineer who traveled to New York from Boston to take part in the rally.
"I hope it will reinvigorate protest because a lot of people will realize the problem is not only with Ukraine," he said, referring to Putin's support of Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. "They can't pretend that nothing happened anymore."
"If they're going to see me here protesting, I'm pretty sure they'll be able to find my family and friends and make their lives a living hell, or ever worse," he said, wearing a cap and a hood to obscure his face.
Working With Trump "Would Be Hard" If He Wins, Says Zelensky North Korea's Kim Jong Un Hosts Russia Military Delegation After Putin Visit Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch 'Entire NEET Paper Solved In 45 Minutes Before Exam?': Top Court To Centre "Had God On My Side": Donald Trump Recounts Being Shot At During Rally 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters Google Brings AI To US Broadcast Of Paris Olympics Video: Children Jump On E-Rickshaw, Chase Foreigners For Money In Delhi "Every Time I Try To Eat Healthy" - Video Creator's Editing Skills Amaze Internet Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.