Mass Protests Erupt in Russia

Many are skeptical about the legitimacy of Putin's victory after suspicious arrests and internet activities.

Tens of thousands of activists have taken to the streets in Russia in what may become the country’s largest protest in 20 years. 30,000 demonstrators allege that Sunday’s parliamentary elections were ridden with fraud. Putin’s United Russia Party emerged victorious, though its share of the votes dropped significantly. After negotiations between opposition leaders and the reigning government, the protest is currently taking place on an island in the Moscow river so the 50,000 deployed police and riot officers can control their entry and exit. Protestors would like to see the elections re-held, and some demonstrators want the head of the elections commission (or Putin himself) to resign. For the man who began his campaign on a Harley Davidson, this may well be Putin’s largest civilian challenge in his 12 years in office.