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with AK-57 assault rifles. The militia formed in ranks, holding transparent plastic shields before them. The band played louder, repeating the march. The protesters in the original demonstration, frightened at the show of strength arrayed against them, milled around and began to look for avenues of escape, only now recognizing that they were in danger. |
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The militia marched in ranks past the cortege, across to the streets leading into Red Square, trapping the youthful dissenters in a smaller and smaller area. When they realized their predicament, the protesters began to fight back. They pried cobblestones out of the paving and threw them at random at the encircling troops, who protected themselves but did not make any overt moves to stop them. One of the stones went astray and crashed into the ranks of the band, hitting a tuba player in the face, injuring him. The musicians suddenly stopped playing, leaving only shouts and screams echoing in the square. |
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Now the young people in the czarist uniforms brought out weapons from under their voluminous clothing and attacked the disorganized dissenters with truncheons and steel bars. The militia stood watching, poised for attack, but for the moment did not interfere with the fighting between the two factions. |
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Milstein snatched at Cherny's arm. "For God's sake, Aleksandr! Give orders to Yulin to stop this before one of those youngsters gets killed!" When Cherny did not respond, Milstein turned away, seeking Ivan Yulin. "Vanya! Don't let the soldiers shoot!" he shouted. |
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It was already too late. Just as he spoke, the militia charged the dissidents. The phalanxes of policemen with their Soyuz allies and the young ragtag protesters merged into a club-swinging, rockthrowing mass. In the midst of the melee came gunfire, the popping sound of an automatic weapon. The protesters scattered in panic. Two bodies lay in front of the mausoleum. Their blood was brilliant red against the gray cobblestones. It steamed in the icy air. |
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As the young protesters ran toward the side streets, several |
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