Between the Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, red is the color of the moment. A week ago, however, it began to take on a totally different meaning, as an increasing number of Russians started posting photos of themselves on social media wearing clothes in all shades of crimson in support of Yulia Navalnaya, the imprisoned Russian opposition’s wife leader Aleksei A. Navalny. Red is known to be Navalnaya’s favorite color, and she wore a bright red blouse at her husband’s trial on February 2.
As of Monday, there were 13,300 Instagram posts of women (and a handful of men) in red dresses, parkas, a high collar – just about any outfit that could be listed for the cause – along with the hashtag # негрустивсебудетхорошо or “Don’t be sad everything will be fine ”, which is what Mr. Navalny would have said to his wife after being sentenced to more than two years in prison for violation of parole.
In the wake of yellow vests in France, the wall of mothers in yellow on social justice marches last summer, pro-democracy activists in black in Hong Kong, white congressmen in the 2019 State of the Union of President Trump and the protesters of women’s rights in their pink hats, this is yet another example of how visual declarations have become a powerful – and growing – tool of protest in the age of social media.
The literal image of a huge united front is among the fastest and most efficient ways to demonstrate solidarity with a cause at a time when photos have increasingly become the currency of global communication. And nothing conveys the idea of a united front more than a mosaic of individuals in a single brilliant color that is impossible to miss.
The red pro-Navalny movement was started by Katya Fedorova, a 38-year-old fashion journalist who worked for Russian Vogue, Interview and other media, and who also has a popular channel called “Good morning, Karl!” in the Telegram messaging application.
“We have all been watching what has been going on since Aleksei returned on the 19th,” said Fedorova by telephone from Moscow. She was referring to Navalny’s return to the country after medical treatment in Germany for a poisoning that he and Western officials described as an attempted state assassination. (It was Mr. Navalny’s time at the hospital in Berlin that led to the state’s parole violation request.)
“We all knew what was going to happen, but in our hearts we still had hope,” said Fedorova. “So when it happened, I went from despair to anger and the next morning I woke up knowing that I needed to do something.”
Although she considered joining a protest, she said she was afraid “of being beaten or put in prison, but I have been watching what is happening in America”. She was particularly impressed, she said, with the photos of all the congressmen dressed in white, together against President Trump. Then, Ms. Fedorova said, “even though it seemed kind of stupid to wear fashion and I thought people could do without me, I thought an image could matter.”
Although red has certain complicated connotations in Russian history, specifically for the communist regime, Ms. Fedorova said that, for her, its meaning was much older, for the creation of Red Square and a heritage of passion and beauty.
In addition, Fedorova said she was impressed by Navalnaya’s appearance during her husband’s trial and how strong she looked. Then, after taking her daughter to school, she went home, fished out an old red ribbed sweater from the closet and placed a pole in solidarity.
“I didn’t expect more than 50 people to join me,” said Fedorova. Instead, she got thousands. Many of the posters note that while they never wanted to get involved in politics or speak out, it gave them an opportunity to stand up for what they believe.
A woman, who posted a photo of herself in a burgundy polka dot shirt, wrote: “I suggest that curious people take a look at this hashtag. It is not about politics, it is about solidarity and indifference ”.
Another, who took a selfie in a red sweatshirt, wrote: “I am a coward, I was too afraid to go out on the streets of Moscow on the day of the protests. And I’m not ashamed to admit it. I would be ashamed if I were indifferent to what is happening. I am not indifferent. This post is a support to everyone whose spirit is brave and strong. “
A third, wearing a red plaid jacket, wrote: “Yes, my blog is about fashion, but I can’t stand aside and keep quiet. I dont care. I have been watching what is happening with horror. This red photo supports @yulia_navalnaya, as well as everyone who is detained and convicted, because they were not afraid to go out and say what they believe. “
Navalnys’ daughter Daria, who uses the surname Dasha online, also posted a photo of the whole family with her in a red dress, in thanks.
Although there was some reaction to the red movement online, and Ms. Fedorova said she started taking her daughter to school with her boyfriend in case something happened to her, she also said she was excited about the reaction.
“Seeing all of us together in the same way, opening my phone and seeing everything red, it’s a sensation,” she said. “It gives me some hope again.”