[daxuak]

Let's say you feel responsible. I believe a lot of Russians feel awful to their stomach, too. What now? Are you willing to risk your job, housing, wellbeing and the wellbeing of your families to protest, knowing that protesting will not change anything at all? IIRC in this round the Russian government are drafting the people who were arrested in the anti-war protests.

[koonsolo]

Why would they be able to arrest them? Have you ever seen riots where people throw rocks at the police? For 10 years in jail, you better make sure you give them a reason for 10 years.

When you see those Russian protesters, they are all so compliant it blows my mind.

Throw rocks and get the fuck out. It ain't a crime if you don't get caught.

[daxuak]

Arrest? Arrests are still mild. For more, they could be entitled to arrest their families as well. Let's say you throw a rock. All of a sudden, there is a possibility that the riot police are entitled to shot you or something - they will cite that they were attacked.

People throw stuff in riots where they have somehow figured out that the police won't open fire, or intentionally shot a rubber bullet in a way so that it'll do permanent damage (e.g. aiming the eyes), or use water canon with the intention of permanent damage (e.g. aiming at head & neck). If a crowd appear to be calm and compliant, or if people are enraged but can't bring themselves onto the street to protest - that is because of fear and really nothing else.

Protesting and rioting is absolutely different under dictatorships. It might be a right or a minor misdemeanor in the western world. I can assure you that it is a crime, worse than felony because this enters the lawless realm, in a lot of places.