Educators from across Russia are showing solidarity with a teacher in Siberia who lost her job over photos posted to social media with an online swimsuit flashmob.
Tatyana Kuvshinnikova, a fifth-grade teacher in the city of Barnaul, was forced to abandon her post after a student’s parents complained about photos showing her in a New Year’s dress and a swimsuit. The story made national news due to the school director’s letter to Kuvshinnikova, which called her a “prostitute” and a “stain on the reputation of the school.”
In response to the school authorities’ hardline approach, educators assembled online under the hashtag #учителятожелюди (#teachersarepeopletoo).
The teachers shared pictures of themselves in swimsuits, underwear and skimpy clothing and criticized the school's management of the situation.
Kuvshinnikova said she felt compelled to resign after colleagues “refused to greet her or look at her” and started to spread rumors about her “taking trash out of the dumpster.”
Here are some examples from the online flashmob:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
