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Russian city cancels cathedral construction after protests

Russian city cancels cathedral construction after protests | iNFOnews.ca
Police officers stand in front of a new built fence during a protest against plans to construct a cathedral in a park in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Wednesday, May 15, 2019. Hundreds of riot police have surrounded a park in Russia's fourth-largest city before what's expected to be a third consecutive day of protests against building a new cathedral. (AP Photo/Anton Basanayev)

MOSCOW – The governor of Russia’s Urals region said Wednesday that a plan to build a Russian Orthodox cathedral in a popular park will be cancelled after protests that drew nationwide attention. A new site will be chosen.

Unsanctioned demonstrations in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg were held for several consecutive days — a rare show of defiance in Russia where harsh laws handing out criminal punishments for taking part in unsanctioned rallies have discouraged many from joining them.

President Vladimir Putin last week called for a compromise, suggesting an opinion survey to determine public attitudes about the project.

An opinion poll conducted by VTsIOM polling company showed the majority opposing the construction.

Gov. Yevgeny Kuivashev said on Instagram on Wednesday that a survey will determine an alternative site for the cathedral’s construction.

“We have moved past that conflict,” he said.

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