Peace and Independence March: Protests continue on Lukashenka’s birthday (photos, video)


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On August 30, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the first and still the only president of Belarus, turns 66; his youngest son Mikalai will celebrate his 16th birthday tomorrow. Still, Belarusians are set to protest against vote rigging, police violence and pro-regime propaganda on state TV. Minskers are taking to the streets again to be part of today’s Peace and Independence March which started at 2 pm (local time).

News
Raped with truncheons, beaten and insulted: peaceful protesters suffered for their views
2020.08.21 09:10

On Saturday, 29 protesters were detained throughout the country, the Belarusian Interior Ministry reports. Notably, the police have never laid a finger on participants in rallies in support of the incumbent leader.

In the early hours, Independence Square, a popular protest spot where the House of Government is located, was closed off.

‘What was their fault?’ Girl showing photos of injured Belarusians. Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu
‘Happy birthday!’, ‘You are nothing but a clown’. Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu

By the beginning of the rally, Minsk downtown was cordoned off by security forces in several places. The police immediately started targeted detentions.

Kastrychnitskaya metro station. Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu
Kastrychnitskaya metro station. Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Alyaksandr Vasyukovich / vot-tak.tv / belsat.eu
Kastrychnitskaya metro station. Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Alyaksandr Vasyukovich / vot-tak.tv / belsat.eu

Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu

 

Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu
Kastrychnitskaya Metro station. Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu

 

Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu
‘What is Belarusian for Avada Kedavra?’ 22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu
Kastrychnitskaya metro station. Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu

At about 15.30 (local time), a column of protesters headed to Minsk Hero City Stele from Independence Avenue.

22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu

‘Sasha, it is the end’. 22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu
‘Happy birthday, Batska’. 22 дзень пратэстаў. Менск, Беларусь. 30 жніўня 2020 г. Фота: ТК / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: ТК / belsat.eu
‘Lukashenka, we are people, not rats!’ 22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu

Minsk Hero City Stele. Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Alyaksandr Vasyukovich / vot-tak.tv / belsat.eu

Stele, a popular protest spot, was fenced off with barbed wire and guarded by the military. Most servicemen had live ammunition. There were tens of thousands of protesters there, people were chanting: ‘Lukashenka step down! We are here to say happy birthday to you!’

Military and barbed wire near Minsk Hero City Stele. Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu
22nd day of protests. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: TK / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu

Then a column of demonstrators set out in the direction of the Palace of Independence, one of Lukashenka’s residency, but they came across several lines of troops there. Moreover, armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles were spotted in in the vicinity. Peaceful protesters did not try to pick a fight with riot policemen, no incidents were reported.

APVs near Palace of Independence in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Alyaksandr Vasyukovich / vot-tak.tv / belsat.eu
Activist Maryia Kalesnikava trying to talk to OMON forces near Palace of Independence. Minsk Hero City Stele. Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Alyaksandr Vasyukovich / vot-tak.tv / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu
Peace and Independence March in Minsk. 30 August 2020.
Photo: Iryna Arakhouskaya / belsat.eu

According to human rights defenders, at least 140 persons have been detained during today’s protests in Belarus.

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