Vadim Krasnoselsky took part in a march and rally held as part of the Assembly of the Pridnestrovian People. The event aims to convey to the international community a collective resolve to defend the rights, freedoms, security, and dignity of the people of Pridnestrovie. A column of thousands of the republic’s residents marched through the center of the capital from the theater where the founding of Pridnestrovie was proclaimed on September 2, 1990, to Suvorov Square, a site that has hosted many such nationwide gatherings over the years.
Speaking with journalists as the column moved along, the PMR President remarked: "I never doubted that people would come. Our citizens have always been proactive and deeply invested in the life of Pridnestrovie and its people. They are concerned about the future; they want to live on their own land and speak their native languages. People are troubled by current events by how neighboring Moldova infringes upon our rights (political, economic, and linguistic) and by the fact that Moldova has yet to provide a legal assessment of the 1992 war, effectively showing total disregard for the loss of civilian lives. People want to voice both their protest and their perspective. I sometimes hear in the media that the people have changed that many have abandoned the idea of independence and that it is no longer desired, as if everyone now simply wants to live under certain terms within a unified Moldova. That is not the case. This remains a matter of importance to the people; they want to feel secure, truly secure, you understand? Such rights as the rights inherent to democracy, the right to freedom, and the right to one’s native language cannot be taken away from people. Whenever these rights are challenged or the situation escalates, conflict becomes inevitable. The history of formation of Pridnestrovie and, unfortunately, the history of the entire post-Soviet space tells us: whenever someone threatens a people’s native language, traditions, script, or anything else tied to their national identity, conflict becomes inevitable. Pridnestrovie is a multi-ethnic society; we are a multi-ethnic people and that is what matters. We do not divide ourselves based on ethnicity, religion, or any other such markers; we stand united. I am certain that those gathered here today represent virtually every nationality and ethnic group in our homeland, and no one considers themselves superior to anyone else. We are all equal before our fellow human beings and equal before God. I am convinced that today’s event is a direct response to the challenges that regrettably keep arising time and again. Achieving independence and securing the right to freedom require great effort, energy, and a strong sense of self-awareness—all of which we are witnessing today. We consistently appeal to the international community, to all participants in the "5+2" negotiation format, and so on. I am certain that we will be heard by everyone. Some may pretend not to notice, while others might claim that these events were orchestrated, but that is simply not true. Everyone will hear us. What we have here is the people, the public gathering, and freedom of speech above all".
Public and political figures from the republic addressed the rally. Their discussions went beyond the latest wave of economic pressure from Moldova—pressure that threatens to trigger a humanitarian catastrophe. The people of Pridnestrovie are concerned by Moldova’s blatant distortion of historical facts and its glorification of Nazism, as well as by infringements upon citizens' rights and freedoms, the rejection of the Pridnestrovian people’s national identity, discriminatory acts such as the deportation of Pridnestrovian residents, and the obstruction of participation in elections, among other issues.
The participants adopted a resolution-statement at the conclusion of the rally. The document articulates the citizens' commitment to defending the right of the Pridnestrovian people to live on their own land, to independently determine their own future, and to preserve their statehood as a guarantee of security, the protection of rights, and peaceful development. The resolution highlights Moldova’s actions, including the curtailment of political and civil rights and freedoms; the creation of intolerable socio-economic conditions; the suppression of national, linguistic, and cultural identity; the refusal to provide a legal assessment of the 1992 military aggression; and the glorification of Nazi criminals and terrorists. The participants in the popular assembly support full and comprehensive equality for all members of the Pridnestrovian people, reject any form of discrimination, condemn the use of armed force, and demand an end to the discrimination against Pridnestrovians, the economic blockade, banking and financial restrictions, and the obstruction of Pridnestrovian industry and business.
The resolution will be submitted to the Supreme Council to provide a legal framework for the will of the Pridnestrovian people.
