Our work
Memorial to Alexei Navalny:
a place of courage and hope
When opposition leader Alexei Navalny was murdered, we didn’t just grieve — a permanent space for memory. Thanks to over $7,500 raised by our local community, a memorial bench now stands at the University of Washington. We also launched an interactive global map tracking Navalny memorials worldwide.
Returning the names:
memory is our resistance
Every October 29, we organize the local observance of Returning the Names — reading aloud the names of Soviet state terror victims to connect historical truth with solidarity for modern-day political prisoners. Beyond hosting annual readouts in Seattle, we also heavily contributed to creation of the service to distribute victim’s names to all organizers around the globe.
Letters to political prisoners:
breaking walls with words
Hundreds in Russia remain imprisoned for peacefully expressing their opinions, opposing the war in Ukraine, defending human rights, practicing their religion, or exercising other fundamental freedoms. Many have been sentenced under laws that criminalize dissent, leaving families separated and voices silenced. Since May 2024, Russian Seattle for Freedom has hosted monthly letter-writing events, inviting our community to write postcards and letters to political prisoners in Russia.
Together, we send an average of 20–40 postcards at each event, expanding our efforts during the holidays and nationwide solidarity campaigns.
We proudly collaborate with OVD-Info's "Letters to Political Prisoners" project and participate in campaigns such as You Are Not Alone, Summer of Hope, and others.
Rallies
|
Public events
|
Rallies | Public events |
Standing together when others cannot
-
In today's Russia, peaceful public protest has become increasingly dangerous. Strict laws regulating public assemblies, combined with criminal prosecutions for anti-war speech and political activism, have made even solitary pickets a reason for detention, fines, or imprisonment. Thousands of people have faced arrest simply for holding a sign or even a blank piece of paper, laying flowers at a memorial, or speaking out against injustice.
For those living abroad, the freedom to gather peacefully carries a responsibility. Public events not only raise awareness - they demonstrate that democratic values, human rights, and solidarity cannot be silenced. They also create a space where Russians and Russian-speaking communities can come together, support each another, and stand alongside those who no longer have the freedom to speak for themselves.
-
Since our founding, Russian Seattle for Freedom has organized and participated in rallies, memorials, exhibitions, educational events, and community gatherings across the Greater Seattle area. Each event reflects our commitment to democracy, human rights, peace, and solidarity with those facing persecution.
-
June 4, 2023 – Free Navalny and All Political Prisoners
A public rally calling for the release of Alexei Navalny and everyone imprisoned for their political beliefs.August 20, 2023 – Putin Is a Murderer
A demonstration condemning Russia's war against Ukraine and demanding accountability for war crimes and political repression.October 29, 2023 – Returning the Names
Part of the international remembrance initiative honoring victims of Soviet political repression by reading their names aloud and preserving historical memory.January 21, 2024 – Russia Without Putin
A rally supporting a democratic future for Russia free from authoritarian rule.February 16, 2024 – Navalny Memorial
A community gathering following the death of Alexei Navalny to honor his life, courage, and commitment to democracy.February 18, 2024 – Evening in Memory of Alexei Navalny
An evening of remembrance, reflection, and solidarity following Navalny's death.February 24, 2024 – Russia Against War
A public gathering marking the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and standing in solidarity with Ukraine while calling for peace and accountability.March 17, 2024 – Noon Against Putin
Participation in the worldwide "Noon Against Putin" campaign, encouraging peaceful civic action during Russia's presidential election.May 7, 2024 – #PutInJail: Prison, Not Kremlin
A demonstration calling for accountability for Vladimir Putin and justice for victims of political repression and war.June 4, 2024 – Opening of Faces of Russian Resistance
The opening of a public exhibition dedicated to political prisoners and individuals resisting authoritarianism in Russia.June 30, 2024 – Seattle Pride Parade
Marching in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Russians and Russian speakers who cannot safely celebrate Pride or openly express their identities in Russia.November 17, 2024 – 1,000 Days of War
A rally marking one thousand days since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and reaffirming support for Ukraine and all affected by the war.February 16, 2025 – Memorial Bench Dedication for Alexei Navalny
The dedication of Seattle's memorial bench honoring Alexei Navalny and the values of freedom, courage, and democratic resistance.February 23, 2025 – Three Years of War in Ukraine
A community rally commemorating three years of Russia's full-scale invasion and expressing solidarity with Ukraine.June 29, 2025 – Seattle Pride Parade
Continuing our annual participation in Pride to support LGBTQ+ people facing persecution in Russia.October 26, 2025 – Returning the Names
Continuing the tradition of remembering victims of political repression and preserving historical truth.February 22, 2026 – Stand for Freedom, Stand with Ukraine
An anti-war rally supporting Ukraine, political prisoners, and everyone resisting authoritarianism.June 28, 2026 – Seattle Pride Parade
Marching once again to ensure LGBTQ+ voices from Russia remain visible and supported.
Supporting in detentions:
In 2024, asylum seekers fleeing persecution in Russia faced a harsh reality at the U.S. border: instead of being released to await their hearings, many were placed in immigration detentions for months or even years. These aren't criminals — they are ordinary citizens, activists, and LGBTQ+ individuals targeted for opposing the war and state repression.
Russian Seattle for Freedom assists individuals at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (Tacoma, WA) and nationwide through:
Legal Aid: Connecting to and paying for attorneys.
Direct Care: Supplying basic necessities, emotional support, and public awareness campaigns.
Warm welcome: Providing temporary housing, transportation, and essentials upon release for first days of freedom.
hope beyond walls & bars
Thanks to community support, we’ve helped dozens of innocent people gain their freedom and rebuild their lives in safety.
2025
Seattle, WA
LGBTQ+ support & advocacy:
living authentically is not a crime
For LGBTQ+ people in Russia, living authentically has become increasingly dangerous due to state-sponsored criminalization and persecution. Russian Seattle for Freedom stands in solidarity with those silenced by repression by marching in the Seattle Pride Parade (2024–2026) and partnering with Equal PostOst to fund emergency relocations.
We provide direct guidance and asylum support for LGBTQ+ immigrants, including fundraising for legal representation for those held in U.S. immigration detention. We believe everyone deserves to live openly, safely, and with dignity — regardless of who they are or whom they love.
Faces of Russian resistance:
Behind every political prisoner, journalist, and activist is a real person whose life was upended by repression. Too often, these stories become headlines while the individuals are forgotten.
On June 4, 2024 — Alexei Navalny’s birthday — we opened the Faces of Russian Resistance portrait exhibition in Seattle, a franchise of the global movement. By sharing the personal stories of persecuted lawyers, artists, and ordinary citizens, we keep the demand for their release at the forefront of international dialogue with Russian authorities.
We believe that remembering people is an act of resistance. Every story shared preserves the truth and honors those who risk everything for freedom and human dignity.
stories behind the headlines