19 August 1991

Don't Shoot!

Armoured cars and tanks surround the most important government buildings in Moscow on 19 August 1991. President Mikhail Gorbachev has been dismissed by Genadi Genayev, vice president of the Soviet Union. A state of national emergency is proclaimed, meetings and gatherings are forbidden. Boris Yeltsin, president of Russia, disapproves of these actions and summons the inhabitants of Moscow to gather around the Parliament building. The Democratic Union distributes a handout directed to the soldiers:
"Stop! Think! Don't shoot! 
It is not terrible to be killed, for the soul is immortal! It is terrible to kill, as it violates Gods most imporant commandment! Halt! Do not condemn yourself to eternal suffering. The two of us can come to an agreement."
(Text and translation by Els Wagenaar)

See also:

•  Independent Russian press collection

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