'Love Is Stronger Than Fear': Navalny Supporters Cast Their Protests In A New Light

Radio Free never takes money from corporate interests, which ensures our publications are in the interest of people, not profits. Radio Free provides free and open-source tools and resources for anyone to use to help better inform their communities. Learn more and get involved at radiofree.org
People draw hearts with their cell-phone flashlights in support of jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny and his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, in Moscow on the night of February 14. Navalny's team urged people to stand in their courtyards and shine their cell-phone flashlights under the slogan, "Love is stronger than fear." After the jailing of Navalny and two weekends of nationwide demonstrations and marches, the new protest format looked to some like a retreat.

1 People draw hearts with their cell-phone flashlights in support of jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny and his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, in Moscow on the night of February 14. Navalny’s team urged people to stand in their courtyards and shine their cell-phone flashlights under the slogan, “Love is stronger than fear.” After the jailing of Navalny and two weekends of nationwide demonstrations and marches, the new protest format looked to some like a retreat.

Navalny supporters light candles in a courtyard in Omsk.

2 Navalny supporters light candles in a courtyard in Omsk.

In Omsk

3 In Omsk

On the frozen Neva River in St. Petersburg

4 On the frozen Neva River in St. Petersburg

In St. Petersburg

5 In St. Petersburg

A woman poses with a glowing plastic duck near Red Square in Moscow on February 14. The duck is a reference to allegations that former Prime Minister (and one-term President) Dmitry Medvedev has a luxury property with a private lake and a shelter for waterfowl.

6 A woman poses with a glowing plastic duck near Red Square in Moscow on February 14. The duck is a reference to allegations that former Prime Minister (and one-term President) Dmitry Medvedev has a luxury property with a private lake and a shelter for waterfowl.

In Omsk

7 In Omsk

Near Red Square in Moscow

8 Near Red Square in Moscow

Female opposition activists take part in a protest in support of Navalny and female political prisoners on Valentine's Day in Moscow.

9 Female opposition activists take part in a protest in support of Navalny and female political prisoners on Valentine’s Day in Moscow.

Women at a rally in St. Petersburg on February 14 in support of Navalny and his wife

10 Women at a rally in St. Petersburg on February 14 in support of Navalny and his wife

Russian women hold flowers as they form a human chain in Moscow to express support for Navalny on February 14.

11 Russian women hold flowers as they form a human chain in Moscow to express support for Navalny on February 14.

A woman in St. Petersburg forms part of a human chain to support female political prisoners and to protest against police violence on February 14.

12 A woman in St. Petersburg forms part of a human chain to support female political prisoners and to protest against police violence on February 14.

A Navalny supporter on the Arbat in Moscow

13 A Navalny supporter on the Arbat in Moscow