Rock Center
FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane
FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts
FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane
FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts
With less than a week until Russia’s presidential elections, protesters of Vladimir Putin have one single message: "Putin, go away."
Earlier this month, more than one hundred thousand people walked two miles on a bitter Saturday afternoon in Moscow to vent their frustration with Putin and his party, United Russia.
Among the leaders of the demonstration was 35-year-old blogger and attorney, Alexi Navalny. Through his law firm’s website, Navalny exposes alleged corruption. His biggest targets are Putin and his party.
Nearby, Evgeny Sorokin, 47, lives in a half-million dollar apartment. Sorokin, who runs a successful clothing business, is a proud member of Moscow's upper middle class and a good example of who is attracted to Alexi Navalny’s anti-Putin movement. He’s a proud member of Moscow’s burgeoning upper middle class and owns a thriving clothing business.
When it was announced in September that Vladimir Putin was going to run for the presidency again after serving as prime minister, Sorokin was fuming on his way to work.
"I heard the news, I called my wife, can you believe it!" Sorokin told NBC News.
Thousands have signed up for protests on Facebook and other social networking websites to oust Putin from the presidential race on allegations of massive voter fraud in the Parliamentary election. And Evgeny Sorokin was one of them.
Editor’s Note: Harry Smith’s full story, ‘Russian Spring’ airs tomorrow, Feb. 29 on NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams.














