Thousands of Anti-Putin Demonstrators Rally in Moscow

Thousands of protesters gather on Moscow's New Arbat street, March 10, 2012. (VOA Photo - Yuli Weeks)

Russian police officers line the street near the metro station. (VOA - Yuli Weeks)

Protesters hold a painting in the front row at the rally in Moscow. (VOA Photo - Yuli Weeks)

A poster at the rally that sums up the past 12 years of presidential history in Russia reads, "Glory to the Russian constiution!" (VOA - Yuli Weeks)

A protester draped white ribbons with slogans calling for fair elections and a Russia without Putin - over the police barricade at the rally. White ribbons have become a symbol of Russia's new protest movement. (VOA - Yuli Weeks)

A protester holds a sign asking for the release of jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky. It reads, "Freedom for Khodorkovsky. Khodorkovsky is my president." (VOA Photo - Yuli Weeks)

A protester holds a sign that reads, "Putin, leave soon or else you'll end up like Ghadafi." (VOA Photo - Yuli Weeks)

Speakers, including election observers and opposition politicians, address a crowd of thousands at a rally for fair elections in Moscow. (VOA Photo - Yuli Weeks)

Activist Sergei Udaltsov speaks at the rally. He was later arrested for attempting to hold a second protest that was not sanctioned by the city. (VOA Photo - Yuli Weeks)

Protesters wave flags at a rally for fair elections in Moscow while a police officer stands by. (VOA Photo - Yuli Weeks)

An woman cheers from the across the street at a rally for fair elections in Moscow. (VOA Photo - Yuli Weeks)

A riot policeman stands in front of a poster that reads, "Give us back fair elections!". (VOA Photo - Yuli Weeks)

A young girl leaves a rally for fair elections in Moscow with a sign that reads, "Putin: You are not the president, you are the king of thieves." (VOA Photo - Yuli Weeks)