Penza, 15 December 2012. PenzaNews. Within the framework of nationwide protest, supporters and members of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation held a rally against economic and social policy of the regional government, which took place in the square named after V.G. Belinsky in Penza on Saturday, December 15. According to various estimates, from 400 to 800 people attended the event, which lasted for about an hour. This meeting became one of the most massive actions held by Penza communists lately.

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Several dozen protesters held flags with communist symbols and banners reading “Parental fee in kindergarten must be less than 20%,” “Authorities! Give veterans travel passes back,” “Benefits and care for children of war,” “Education is not a commodity, do not sell it,” “Housing for people, not people for housing,” “Resign Chernov,” and others.

As the secretary of the Communist Party and member of the Legislative Assembly of the Penza region Georgy Kamnev told news agency “PenzaNews,” the protesters are against social and economic reforms held by the regional government and the administration of the city of Penza.

“All of them involve increasing of utility tariffs and fares, as well as increasing expenditures connected with the work of officials. However, social spending – on education, health care, culture and other areas – is reducing; people in need are not supported. We gathered here today to once again draw the attention of the authorities to this injustice,” he stated.

At the end of the action, Communists announced a resolution, which, in particular, demanded to eliminate all intermediaries in the structure of housing, lower utility rates to 10% of total family income, and return LLC Gorvodokanal and other companies which maintain housing, to the municipality.

In addition, participants of the action who unanimously passed a resolution demanded to cancel a number of decisions of the Legislative Assembly of the region of the fifth convocation connected with the cuts in budget spending for education, health and culture; and the abolition of benefits for “Labor Veterans of the Penza region.”

Supporters and members of the Communist Party also demanded the return of preferential tickets for all categories of veterans, reduction of state apparatus expenses, and resignation of some officials.

According to the police, no violations took place during the rally.