Clashes between miners and police in Mezhdurechensk, Russia

[Dire Helix]

I can`t post full links due to account limitations. So, just copy-paste these into your browser:

Clashes between miners and police:
youtube.com/watch?v=1NnrLV3-yGE

Spontaneous workers demonstration in Mezhdurechensk:
youtube.com/watch?v=HWjB_8r7uIA

The clashes occurred on May 14 after anti-riot police moved to disperse a group of workers and their families who occupied one of the central railroads in the area striking for payment of salaries and better working conditions. Some 28 people were arrested and are presently being accused of extremism and a deliberate attempt to destabilize the situation in the country. The events followed a major explosion at Raspadskaya coal mine on May 9 that claimed the lives of more than 90 people.

[Blake's Baby]

Thanks for posting these.

Is there any more information on this that you know of?

[Dire Helix]

There isn`t much else besides what I already posted, but apparently going in and out of the city is very problematic now and there`s increased police presence on the streets. Reportedly, many of those who participated in the demonstration were fired.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Is there any more information on this that you know of?

Tensions build in wake of Russian mine disaster (http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/may2010/kuzb-m18.shtml)

[Buffalo Souljah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NnrLV3-yGE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWjB_8r7uIA


Is there any way we can get a translation of the commentary in the second video (aside from learning Russian--already too busy with Spanish at present)?

[Dire Helix]

Is there any way we can get a translation of the commentary in the second video (aside from learning Russian--already too busy with Spanish at present)?

The article in the link provided by Nothing Human Is Alien contains translations of some parts of the interviews from the second video:

“We simply want to live like human beings. Everyone says that we receive huge pay, enormous pay. In fact, we live from paycheck to paycheck. If we don’t meet the production quotas, we get 20,000 rubles. If we make the quota, 30 to 35, or a maximum of 40 thousand. On the average, we make 30-35 thousand. They keep us in such conditions that, for me, are impossible. I have to feed five in my family and on 25 thousand this is impossible. Therefore, people like me, for the sake of their families— not for the money—go to work in the mines. And, honestly speaking, we violate mine safety, disable the monitoring devices, because otherwise we couldn’t make it. There is lots of gas. It is always present. Yes, we go to work for a miserable pittance, for next to nothing, and the bosses know this. They will say to us, if you come to us and report unsafe conditions, the most we can pay is 15-20 thousand. Everyone knows this.”

Another miner said: “People have been told that they must claim that they make 40 thousand. If they say less, they will be fired. That is why people are silent. That is why they are not talking. We all have debts. Look at the fellow standing next to me, he has five to feed.”

A woman at the rally said: “Everyone has debts. Look what happens. You come home with 20 thousand, and right way 18 thousand goes to the banks. That’s how we live. And they tell us: shut your mouths. If you complain, we’ll bring in Chinese, and they will work for less money.”

The miner standing next to her interrupted: “Everyone here is afraid. They all could say what is, but they won’t show their pay stubs. They are afraid. We all should show what we really make. Then people would know.”