Penza, 4 July 2018. PenzaNews. Over 100 people participated in the rally against retirement age increase held at the initiative of the movement Left Front in the Dzerzhinsky public garden in Penza in the evening on Wednesday, July 4.

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The protest rally was joined by representatives of Communist Party including head of the faction in the Penza City Duma Oleg Shalyapin, Komsomol members, supporters of the political party A Just Russia, members of the officially unregistered United Communist Party, and ordinary citizens who opposed the reform suggested by the government of the Russian Federation.

Turning to those present, Left Front coordinator in the Penza region Victor Khomets noted that in that situation it was necessary to express disagreement with initiatives promoted at the federal level more actively.

"Left Front is ready to take a lead over the protest movement here, in the Penza region," he emphasized and in support of his words he spoke about the work carried out by opposition activists.

In turn, civil activist Igor Alexeev drew attention to the fact that the residents who have a principled attitude regarding this or that issue can really influence a decision-making process.

As an example he mentioned the suggestion mentioned by governor Ivan Belozertsev to move the stele Glory to Heroes from Sobornaya square to the area of the public garden Zhuravli (Cranes), which was ambiguously perceived in society and led to protests.

"As a result I received a letter from the city administration that no decision on demolition was taken and no money was allocated, [...] therefore our struggle cannot be useless," Igor Alexeev said.

Other participants of the rally who also wished to express their opinion raised the issue of VAT increase from 18% to 20%, contemplated about possible consequences of raising the retirement age and the risk of entrepreneurs' withdrawing into the shadows.

In addition, it was announced that the protest campaign would continue: the next action will be held on July 8 at 13.00 in the Olympic park, on June 28 at 11.00 it is planned to hold a rally near the building of the former cinema Rodina.

At the end of the event those present adopted a resolution which contains a number of requirements including those addressed to governor Ivan Belozertsev, chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the region Valery Lidin and Penza mayor Victor Kuvaytsev. In particular, they were suggested not to support the draft law on retirement age increase and to speak out against the reform announced by the Russian government.