Bashkirs Rally In Defense Of Native Language

A mass demonstration was held on September 16 in Ufa, the capital of the Russian region of Bashkortostan, to support the official status of the Bashkir language. Protesters demanded the reinstatement of mandatory Bashkir-language classes in the republic's schools.Organizers said some 2,000 people participated in the unsanctioned rally, which was held under close police supervision. The demonstration was organized by the unregistered Bashquort organization. (RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service)