Street in Front of DC Russian Embassy Being Renamed After Putin's Nemesis
The Washington, D.C., city government is normally a conflagration of bumbling failure and misplaced priorities. Consider, for instance, the fact that they’re now on the verge of dedicating a monument to longtime mayor, crack cocaine aficionado and former federal inmate, Marion “The B**** Set Me Up” Barry.
However, every so often, the suzerains of the District of Columbia get something right. And unfortunately for the Russians, this one particular instance is going to leave strongman Vladimir Putin niet happy.
According to the Washington Times, the D.C. City Council is set to take the stretch of street right in front of the Russian Embassy in the nation’s capital and name it after an assassinated rival of the Russian president.
The portion of Wisconsin Avenue that contains Russia’s embassy will be renamed “Boris Nemtsov Place” after the felled Russian opposition figure, who was shot and killed while he walked with his girlfriend on a bridge near the Kremlin in Moscow back in 2015.
According to the London Guardian, five people have been convicted of the killing, including an ex-officer in the pro-Russian Sever battalion of security forces in embattled Chechnya.
However, Nemtsov’s family has dismissed the convictions as irrelevant, arguing that those who ordered the killing weren’t brought to justice.
Just last month, Nemtsov’s daughter traveled to Washington to speak before the council and urge them to adopt the name change.
“The current Russian political regime wants to eradicate the memory of my father, since it believes — correctly — that symbols are important and that they can potentially facilitate and inspire change,” Zhanna Nemtsova told the council.
The Washington Times notes that while provocative street naming when it comes to embassies isn’t anything new, the move still managed to severely rankle pro-Putin forces in Russia.
One politician in the Duma, Russia’s lower house, was quoted by the Moscow Times saying that the address of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow ought to be renamed “Severoamerikansky Tupik, 1″ (North American Dead End, 1).
“We should rename the driveway in honor of the intrusive foreign policy of the U.S.,” Mikhail Degtyaryov said.
Meanwhile, former Russian presidential candidate Vladimir Zhirinovsky decried “dirty tricks in front of the Russian Embassy.”
Regardless of how the Russkies might feel about it, the D.C. City Council approved the renaming by a unanimous vote.
Mary Cheh, who represents Ward 3 on the council, said that “there is little doubt that (Mr. Nemtsov’s) murder was motivated by his political beliefs, his popularity, and his frequent and open criticism of the Russian government.”
To put a fine point on it, the renaming ceremony will take place on Feb. 27, the third anniversary of Nemtsov’s assassination. One hopes that attendees and speakers alike have stylish lead-lined clothing at the ready, given Putin’s love of introducing those who cross him to the wonders of polonium-210.
While the Russians may not be particularly pleased with the decision, we think it’s perfect. Not only is this brilliant trolling, it’s trolling with a purpose.
Dare we say it sounds almost Trumpian?
Please like and share on Facebook and Twitter with your thoughts on this move.
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