‘Red tape men are main idlers’: Belarusians protesting infamous ‘parasite’ law in Brest

“I am against Decree Nr 3”. The boy holding the paper is 16 years old.

Protesters.

On March 5, a rally of ‘non-parasites’ took place in the Belarusian city of Brest. The protesters gathered at 12.00 in Lenin Square.

Some of them went to a meeting with the head of the city authorities in Brest City Executive Committee, while the rest were holding an impromptu rally.

Then, the crowd marched down the central streets to the Central Department Store. Passers-by joined the column, and as a result, about 1,500 people participated in the procession. The protest action lasted for 2 hours.

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The high point of the event was Belarusian anarchists’ offer to block Masherov Avenue for 3 minutes: “It is a symbolic gesture – we just want to show that we are in a serious mood.”

When the march was over, Belsat TV journalists’ presence and covering the event helped the anarchists remain unarrested. They managed to fend off plainclothes policemen who were hunting for them.

“No to Decree nr 3!”

Chairman of Brest City Executive Committee promised to answer all the questions.

A part of protesters at the meeting in Brest City Executive Committee.

Сhairman of Brest City Executive Committee Alyaksandr Rahachuk.

“Red tapist is the main idler!” Anarchists at the building of Brest City Executive Committee.

The other part of protesters wanted the chairman to come and talk to them.

Іmpromptu rally near Brest City Executive Committee.

People marching down the central streets.

Masked anarchists: “Red tapist is the main idler!”

Protester.

Over 1,000 persons perticipated in the march.