The Irkutsk mayor's office refused to remove the Z-banner from the drama theater building in response to 440 activist requests for its removal. сообщает Telegram channel "Irkutsk Blog".

The Irkutsk mayor's office's response, signed by Deputy Mayor Tatyana Makarycheva, states that the Z-banner "protects the Motherland, the people, and traditions."

"Since the beginning of the Second World War, not only the drama theater staff, but also other civilian and military personnel, organizations, and enterprises have expressed their readiness to defend the Motherland, their people, and their traditions by posting a poster, which, in turn, has become a symbol of support for Russian troops."
— the response says.

The official also threatened activists who believe the banner spoils the theater building's historic appearance, saying that "negative statements" about the Z-symbol are subject to criminal charges in Russia for discrediting the army.

But the activists were undeterred and promised to continue the fight to remove the banner and will now file complaints against the mayor's office with the prosecutor's office.

Let's remember that this isn't the only instance of theater walls being used for war propaganda. The Tomsk Drama Theater has also hung A poster with the letter Z. It was later replaced by a poster advertising contract service in the Russian army.

Photo: IrCity