Long Live Belarus! Action on occasion of Freedom Day LIVE


The action ended around 20:00.  No one was detained by the police.

19:45 People sang “Freedom Belarus” and other songs.

19:31 Despite official end of the action, people are staying

19:28 Vyachaslau Siuchyk called end to official part

19:24 People at the “Riga” chanting slogans.

19:15 People approaching “Riga” trade center

18:56 People moving towards trading center “Riga”. Organizing committee decided not to go to Bangalore Square.  People in the crowd lit flares.

18:45 People are staying at the Academy of Sciences

18:25 Alyaksei Yanukevich and Anatoly Lyabedzka speaking

18:20 People reached the Academy of Sciences, people joined protesters at the “Kastrychnik” cinema.

18:05 People moving towards Academy of Sciences chanting “Glory to Ukraine” and “Solidarity”

17:54 People gathered at the Kolasa Square. Nyaklyayeu and Sevyarynets are speaking

 

 

17:30 People in front lit flares. People are nearing the Victory Square.

17:19 Speeches of politicians are over. Zhyzneusky’s parents are at the rally.

Mother of Zhyzneusky congratulated Belarusians on the Freedom Day.

“Mikhail fought not only for Ukraine’s independence, but also for the independence of Belarus. Belarusians will bring Misha’s case to the end.”

17:15 Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu speaking in mouthpiece:

“I will campaign and convince you of something. The life that we are living does not belong to us. All this does not belong to us.”

17:11 More people are coming. There are already about 400 people. Anatoly Lyabedzka speaking:

“Freedom Day is primarily the responsibility. For yourself, for your country.”

17:08 People chanting “Long live Belarus” and “We believe, we can, we win.”

17:05  Pavel Sevyarynets speaking:

“The day today is bright and sunny. Thank you to those who was not afraid to come.”

17:04 Festive meeting opened by Mikalai Statkevich.

 

Today Belarus’ democratic community is celebrating the 98th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian People’s Republic.

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Freedom Day (Dzień Voli) is an unofficial holiday in Belarus, which is celebrated on March 25 to commemorate the creation on that date in 1918 of the Belarusian People’s Republic (BNR). It came into existence at the end of the First World War, when Bolshevik forces left Minsk and the city was occupied by German troops. On March 25, 1918 the Provisional Government (Rada) proclaimed the independence of the BNR. After the Red Army re-entered Minsk, the Communist government replaced the Rada; its members had to emigrate. The current regime denies Freedom Day and often prevents the opposition forces from celebrating it.

This year, the city authorities allowed the participants of the action to gather at the Kastrychnik cinema and then march to the park of Peoples’ Friendship of Peoples, where a rally is to be held. The sanctioned route is significantly different from the one proposed by the opposition.

Former political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich came up with the idea to meet n the Yanka Kupala park at 17.00, lay flowers at the monument to the poet and then head to the Kastrychnik cinema and the Academy of Sciences.

The organisers say they will decide on further actions and route after estimating how many people show up at the event.

Belsat.eu will start livestreaming today’s action at 18:00 (Minsk time). Watch it on our Youtube channel!

Ivonka Survilla, Chairperson of the BNR Rada, addressed Belarusians on the occasion of Freedom Day:

“The time will come when we will really become that independent and free state, of which our grandfathers dreamt, when our land will join the family of prosperous and respected European nations. We have proved that we are worthy of respect. I wish you courage and patience. We will see a free Belarus! I believe in it, and I want each of you to believe in it.”

Belarusians abroad also will be celebrating Freedom Day. In Prague they are ggoing to lay flowers at the graves of the BNR presidents Piotr Krecheuski and Vasil Zaharka. Vilnius-based Belarusians are to honour the memory of BNR leaders at 12:30 at Rosy Cemetery.

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