LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Russian police had raided the homes of prominent critics of Putin the day previously. Putin was elected to another six-year term of office last March, having served as prime minister since his first two terms of office ended in 2008.

The raids, carried out by police armed with assault rifles signaled a shift in dealing with protests as Putin starts his new six-year term.

In spite of the crackdown, the Russian people appear united in their opposition to Putin. Speakers urged the populace \"to carry on another summer of protests. In Occupy-style actions," as Putin begins his third term.

"Before when we were going to the rallies, we were worried because of the illegitimate elections and we requested a new vote. Now we realize this illegitimate authority is making decisions which break all the rules," one protestor told an Al Jazeera correspondent.

Putin appeared reconciliatory, saying the demonstrations were signs of a healthy democracy, wanting to engage in dialogue with the nation\'s many political groups, Putin\'s actions appear to belie his words.

Putin signed into law last week that increased fines for violations of public order at street demonstrations, ignoring warnings from his human rights council that it was unconstitutional.

"The laws that are being adopted now are being made by people who don\'t love our country, our children, or themselves. And the point of what is going on here is to stop these people," one Russian man said.

Among the critics of the current regime suffering from persecution are Alexei Navalny, a popular anti-corruption blogger, as well as Ksenya Sobchak, a media celebrity and Putin critic.

Navalny\'s attorney, Olga Mikhailova, told Moscow radio that \"around 15 policemen burst\" into his Moscow apartment on Monday morning and presented him with a search warrant. "Initially, they tried to break down the door,\" she said.

Alexander Nekrassov, a former Kremlin adviser, said he found the recent persecutions of pro-democracy activists \"bizarre.

\"All these people whose houses have been searched have been given such publicity on the eve of another important march,\" he told Al Jazeera correspondents.

\"So I would say that the security forces, the police, are doing a disfavor to Putin - and Russia, generally.\"

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