The CalGone (Take It Away!) movement has opened an embassy in Moscow to help promote their idea of California’s secession.

California gained an embassy in Russia last weekend, at least in the eyes of those who have promised to seek a statewide vote on secession, nicknamed “Calexit,” in 2018. Louis Marinelli, a San Diego resident who is the leader of the group promoting an effort to turn the state into an independent country , organized the Moscow event that was publicized on social media. “We want to start laying the groundwork for a dialogue about an independent California joining the United Nations now,” he said in an email Monday.