Anti-Putin protesters ‘occupy’ plaza in Moscow

Protesters gather at the Chistiye Prudy, or Clean Ponds, where they vowed to continue a roving protest in Moscow on Thursday. On Friday, some 200 activists have camped out in central Moscow to protest the election of Vladimir Putin.

Some 200 activists have camped out in central Moscow to protest the election of Vladimir Putin and arrests of opposition leaders.

Activists on Friday were distributing white ribbons, the protest symbol, and settling in at a plaza on a central boulevard.

Street protests in Moscow erupted on Sunday the day before Mr. Putin’s inauguration. More than 400 people were arrested after the sanctioned rally turned into clashes between the protesters and police.

Activists have been conducting flash mobs throughout the town since Monday, spending nights on the street. Two most prominent opposition leaders were detained on Wednesday for disobeying police orders.

The protests have been likened to Occupy Wall Street. Thursday night was the first night when no detentions were reported.