Massive protests in Russia have led to over 2000 arrests

On Friday, Russians took to the streets of cities and towns all over their country to protest the Russian government's arrest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

"More than 2,000 people have been arrested during nationwide demonstrations in Russia in support of Alexei Navalny, opposition leader and critic of President Vladimir Putin, BBC News reports. Thousands have taken to the streets of Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and cities across the country to demand the release of Navalny, who was arrested on January 17 upon his return to Moscow from Germany. He is still detained and is due to appear in court early February," the tweet reads.

Authorities in Russia have issued a decree prohibiting public protests nationwide, which have been completely ignored by many very angry people, who marched and chanted things such as "Russia will be free".

Navalny was previously poisoned in August in an attempt on his life, but survived.

The official word is that Navalny has been arrested for violations of the conditions of a suspended sentence for a charge of fraud back in 2014, but critics are calling the charges "trumped-up".

This next tweet below shows video of an obviously livid protestor unarmed and going toe to toe with several police in full riot gear. He lasts about fifteen seconds trading blows with the police until he gets knocked down, and the crowd gathers around him to protect him.

"Damn, bro was banging with riot police in Russia," says the caption.