Recently, we were advised to increase our security. Then, just the other week, federal authorities released the reason why: the Russian regime is hunting opponents on American soil.
The Bureau busted a spy ring in the US. Intelligence officers from the FSB—that’s Putin’s version of the KGB—hired a Brooklyn man to surveil prominent Russian pro-democracy activists. Then the Russians offered their contractor tens of thousands of dollars to “eliminate” the target. We are grateful to the brave law enforcement officers who thwarted this scheme.
We have the privilege of working with countless dissidents here in the US, including, of course, our Chairman and Founder—Garry Kasparov—one of Putin’s most prominent opponents. The Renew Democracy Initiative has been at the forefront of calling for the US government to do more to protect those who flee to our shores in search of freedom. We have been and remain vocal in pushing back against political extremism and dictators worldwide. Given the nature of our work, we’re not always well received in some circles, so we take security seriously. But we haven’t been directly targeted (up until recently).
Now we are taking additional precautions to ensure our colleagues’ safety.
Needless to say, these precautions aren’t free. And so, I’m asking you, the RDI community, to stand with us. Your gift will help us protect our people, build a media platform that makes their stories impossible to ignore, push back against dictators who target their perceived enemies when threatened, and reawaken the survival instinct of free societies.
Will you join us?
Here’s how you can help:
Your support gives RDI the flexibility to protect our dissident network and act quickly when new threats like this emerge.
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The Kremlin is betting most Americans never hear about this. Prove them wrong.
Sincerely,
Uriel Epshtein