The main problem with this type of campaign is that it usually doesn’t articulate what goal is intended to be achieved, what means should be used, what means must under no circumstances be used, and how the available means can be used to achieve the stated goal.

What follows are purely theoretical reflections on what kind of long-term campaign could be effective.

1. Several goals of different scales are set, the implementation of which is possible simultaneously or quite quickly. For example, the goal “resignation of the government” passes the criterion, while “abolishing corruption in Russia” does not. The simplest and most achievable goal is published, and it is announced that its achievement is the condition for ending the campaign. If the goal is not achieved, but the campaign has gained sufficient momentum in the opinion of the organizers, the next goal is published; thus, as the number of participants in the campaign grows, the stakes are raised, and this increases the probability that after some time the authorities will agree to fulfill a demand that was stated among the first, even though the protesters’ demands have since moved far forward.
2. The means that will be used by the protesters and the means that will not be used are determined. For example, it is stated that roads will be blocked, entrances to government institutions will be blocked, government request-reception services will be DDoS-ed, leaflets will be pasted, graffiti will be drawn, and other non-violent actions relatively safe for those performing them will be carried out. It is also stipulated that protest participants will avoid at all costs: direct clashes with the police, destruction of private property, and violence against citizens. If someone practices such things, they are a provocateur and have nothing to do with the protest; we will not hand them over to the police, of course, but we will try to discourage them.
3. An open invitation is published for those wishing to join the protest in other cities—with their own goals, but with a commonality of methods. Thus, in one city, one can start with demands for the immediate termination of administrative cases regarding the September 9 rally, while in another, one can immediately demand that United Russia deputies officially representing that region in the Duma vote against the pension reform bill in the second reading. It is important that in each city, the demand relates specifically to things that can be done in that particular city. Even if a deputy lives in France but was elected from here—demanding a press conference in the district from which he was elected, with a promise to vote against the reform, is a completely feasible thing for the residents of that city.
4. Unlike rallies, in such campaigns there is no point in complying with government requirements regarding de-anonymization—on the contrary, any means of disguise are quite appropriate, as long as they do not hinder escaping from the police. It is important for every participant in such campaigns to be able to join at any moment and leave at any moment without risking anything. The whole point of such methods is to bear minimal costs themselves, but force the state to bear disproportionately larger costs.
5. But, besides those who will disrupt state activities on the streets, respectable politicians are also needed who, without personally making any hint of anything illegal, will publicly grumble: look, this is what you’ve brought these miserable people to; you’re lucky their protest is completely peaceful, don’t push them to sin, make concessions, and then the people will calm down, do you really want it to be like in Ukraine? The work of such people is also extremely important; there is no need to label them as collaborators and the like—they help the authorities find a justification for themselves to make an unusual effort and bend to society.
6. And after the success of the campaign, it would not hurt to loudly announce the victory, enter a memorable date into the annals, and celebrate it regularly, with a clear message: we can do it again.