Eighth Initiative Group

{{Short description|A group of feminist activists}}

The Eighth Initiative Group ({{langx|ru|Восьмая Инициативная группа}}) is a group of feminist activists in Saint Petersburg. It has existed since 2018, and has an anti-war theme.{{cite web |title=‘We won’t be destroyed. And we won’t be silenced’ A guide to the most important anti-war initiatives in Russia and abroad |url=https://meduza.io/en/slides/we-won-t-be-destroyed-and-we-won-t-be-silenced |website=Meduza |access-date=17 November 2023 |language=en |date=2022-07-07}}

To mark International Women's Day 2021, the group organized a protest of around 100 people.{{cite web | title=Feminist activists in St. Petersburg hold protest to mark International Women’s Day | website=Meduza | date=8 March 2021 | url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2021/03/08/feminist-activists-in-st-petersburg-hold-protest-to-mark-international-women-s-day | access-date=1 March 2022}} In December 2021 they demonstrated in support of Memorial International, laying flowers at the Solovetsky Stone along with municipal deputy Vitaliy Bovar.{{cite web | title=Petersburg Defense Committee | website=VK | date=28 December 2021 |url=https://vk.com/wall-143754090_37554?lang=en | access-date=1 March 2022}}

On February 23, 2022, the day before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, activists from the Eighth Initiative Group organized a 'silent picket' against the war on the Saint Petersburg Metro.{{cite web | title=Navalny urged Russians to join anti-war rallies across the country – The Moscow Times | date=2 March 2022 | url=https://hindustannewshub.com/russia-ukraine-news/navalny-urged-russians-to-join-anti-war-rallies-across-the-country-the-moscow-times/ | access-date=1 March 2022}} The group has announced an anti-war rally for March 6.{{cite web | title=Антивоенный Марш 6 Марта. Женская Колонна | trans-title=Anti-War March 6 March. Women's Column | website=twitter | language=RU | url=https://twitter.com/minhomiess/status/1498706848530194432 | access-date=1 March 2022}}