( CNN ) -- Hundreds of Russians hit the streets of Moscow on Sunday , rallying to promote peace and equality in response to a rash of ethnic violence and unrest , state-run media reported . The `` Moscow for Everyone '' demonstration in Pushkin Square drew about 1,500 participants , according to RIA Novosti . `` People who came here do not intend to put up with the events that occurred in Moscow on December 11 and 15 , '' said Viktor Shenderovich , one of the event 's organizers . `` I believe the riots in Moscow were caused by pus that burst out . '' Police officers set up metal detectors around the square , checking for knives and other weapons in a bid to avoid a repeat of street violence earlier this month . The turmoil began in southern Moscow , with the death of Yegor Sviridov , 28 , a Kyrgyzstan migrant who authorities said was killed in a brawl with migrants from Russia 's North Caucasus region on December 6 . Five days later , about 5,000 nationalists and `` football hooligans '' clashed with Moscow police as an unsanctioned nationalist-tinged mass memorial for a fellow supporter turned violent , according to state media . The confrontations took place in Manezh Square , outside the Kremlin , and led to the arrests of 65 Spartak Moscow fans for `` disobedience , '' Moscow police spokesman Viktor Biryukov said , according to the official Russian news agency Itar-Tass . The head of the Spartak Moscow fan club has told RIA Novosti that the showdown had nothing to do with sports but , instead , was rooted in problems in Russian society . Then , on December 15 , police arrested more than 200 people in downtown Moscow four days later and seized weapons in a bid to prevent clashes between ethnic Russians and members of Caucasus ethnic groups , Russian news agencies reported . Ilya Kubrakov , suspected of being the riots ' ringleader , and three others were arrested December 17 for their role in Sviridov 's death , a Moscow court announced , according to RIA Novosti . Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has blamed the rash of ethnic violence on investigators who released suspects in Sviridov 's death , the news agency reported . Medvedev called on authorities to take measures to punish those responsible for the crime .
About 1,500 people attend the ` ` Moscow for Peace '' rally , state - run media reported . The event aimed to restore peace after several incidents of violence . The protest began with the death of a Krygyz migrant in a street brawl . Police clashed with protesters twice in subsequent days , arresting about 20 people .