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With 50 Demonstrators, Flooding Rally Falls Short of Planned 10,000

About 50 people took part in a march and concert Saturday in central Moscow in support of Krymsk residents hit by floods earlier this month.

Dubbed "Hot July," the march was held near the Moscow River under the slogan, "Krymsk, we are with you," RIA-Novosti reported.

At least 171 people died on July 7 when torrential rains flooded Krymsk and neighboring areas in the Krasnodar region. Three local officials have been arrested in connection with the tragedy.

Saturday's event wasn't backed by the opposition activists who have organized large anti-Kremlin protests in the recent months, which might explain the low number of attendees.

The costly demonstration, organized by a group of obscure people, was officially sanctioned for 10,000 participants, and the police blocked off part of the embankment for them.

Among those who took to the stage was co-organizer Valery Kubarev, president of the Princes foundation, which represents the descendants of Rurik, the founder of Kievan Rus, according to video footage from the rally.

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