Memorial to Alexei Navalny
Alexei Navalny, the leader of Russian opposition, was murdered in Russian prison on February 16, 2024. Same evening Russian communities around the world went on rallies to express outrage and grieve. For many Alexei was the role model, the hope, the future president, the hero. In Seattle, local community meeting organized by Russian Seattle for Freedom brought about 300 people together under the Space Needle. Eventually the “Peace Pole” next to the Space Needle became the place for spontaneous memorial for several month. The community wish for a permanent memorial was paramount.
(C) AFP
Our organization took the lead. Through dozens of donations from our community we collected more than 7 500 USD. In one year, on February 16, 2025, we opened a memorial bench for Alexei on the Red Square. The ceremony was covered by Voice of America, Meduza, and other media outlets.
More than a hundred people came to pay tribute to Alexei Navalny, many with children.
The plaque reads: In Honor of Alexei Navalny. Murdered in a Russian prison in 2024. The only thing necessary for the triumph of Evil is for good people to do nothing.
The quote in one form or another is often attributed to Edmund Burke and to John Stuart Mill. Alexei Navalny says it at the end of this documentary.
Those who could not attend, sent warm words to our gathering
Many people published photos from the event. Here are some collections found online:
Russian Seattle for Freedom thanks Prof. Glennys Young, Department of History, University of Washington. The ceremony would not happen without her support. We also thank UW and its staff for working with us to make the memorial possible.
If you are in Seattle, visit the memorial. Address: Red Square, 4063 Spokane Ln, Seattle, WA, 98105. Exact location.
Interactive global map
In 2026 we launched an interactive map of all memorials around the globe: navalny.place
