The day the Belarusians felt free

On December 19, 2010 mass protest against fraud presidential elections were held in Belarus.

Charter97.org has asked the participants to tell what this day means to them:

Maryna Adamovich, wife of the political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich:

- This day is significant to me. The day I will always remember as, first of all, that was the day when over the years the Belarusians felt free and recognized themselves as a nation. All these years I keep in my mind that uplift and I'm really grateful to my countrymen for it happened in my life.

At the same time for these four years my husband Mikalai Statkevich has been imprisoned. And it is sad. But December 19 is St. Nicholas day, the day of his saint patron and I believe that God send trials with some reason. He gives strength to those he loves.

Volha Bandarenka, wife of the former political prisoner Dzmitry Bandarenka:

 - I have controversial feelings about this day. At first, it was a celebration of unity and pride for the country, for the people who were not afraid to take the streets, despite the fact of intimidation and threats. It's great that we united. And what happened next was really horrible. I was expecting repressions but not of this kind. My husband, my friends and almost all people I know were imprisoned. Nevertheless, I felt that we won.

The day before December 19 as Europe said the so-called liberalization took place, but Lukashenka's regime shown all his strength. Now, 4 years later, I see that everything is going in a circle. And whatever December 19, 2010 mean for me, we may observe that the situation is even worse now due to total control, total pressure, and total intimidation.

The main thing is that we should remember the lessons of the days gone. We have already had the "liberalization" and we see the results. It is being told that the regime has allegedly become more liberal but I am afraid that the West toleration policy will lead to new offences by authorities.

Mikalai Dzemidzenka, "Young Front" Party leader:

 - That day will surely remain in Belarus history. It is hard to say whether it will remain a tragic or a good one. Four years ago we were full of basically different expectations and thoughts. Even after the Square was broken up we expected the events in Minsk would bring up changes, alter the way of thinking and affect the future. Unfortunately, that did not happen.

On the other hand, four years are not a so long period for giving up our expectations. In any case, December 19 is the most prominent stages of the struggle of the Belarusian people for freedom in recent history.

Ales Marachkin, artist, the Head of the Association "Pahonia":

 - I was there in the Square. The crowd was broke up into groups, presidential candidates were beaten and I actually saw that. I barely escaped. I still have the picture of it before my eyes. Therefore, there is a reasonable question arise: what is going to be in 2015? Are we going to have the same scenario? But, surely, something is going to happen.

On December 19 no one was expecting such agression on the part of the authorities. That was the time when Anrei Sannikau had his legs being broken, Uladzimir Niakliaeu was beaten and many people were put in jail. Political prisoners are still behind bars.

Now we have a different situation. I am very impressed with one TV show: a Salaueu held the interview on Ukraine, "Bandera" and so on, and they had a man from the European Union sitting in the studio. And he was attacked with questions on the ban of Russian channels, some movies and etc. on the territory of Ukraine. But it also applies to the current situation in Belarus! Now I’m walking along Svislach and I can hear Russian pop music thundering on the other side of the river. And this is a permanent situation! Didn't Hitler go to war with the USSR with his claims that the enemy made it not possible to distribute their newspapers and movies? And Russia has started such a war.

Russia is the aggressor, and everything that is connected with the aggressor must be banned. They pour their poison on us too. Now, of course, the governer has recognized that it threatens not only the country's independence, but his personal power and status. I have strong doubts that something good is waiting on us during his reign. And tomorrow it may happen that Russian tanks will "protect Russian-speaking people" as our people are constantly being tried to turn from the nation into "population".

Pavel Vinahradau, the leader of the organization "Zmena":

 - December 19, 2010 is the the day of infamy of those who call themselves the Belarusian authorities.

I cannot remind the situation in our country when in such a short period of time so many people were placed in jail. Definitely, I remember that day but I do not want it to have some sacred meaning. I think that it should be kept in everyone's mind; and both opposition and Belarusian society should make corrections of mistakes. We should try to prevent it from happening again. I mean weak coordination of opposition forces, various provocations and the fact that we have allowed the security forces to have so many people arrested and beaten. We will try to avoid this in future.

Maksim Viniarski, the Coordinator of the civil campaign "European Belarus":

 - For me December 19 was the moment when we had lost the opportunity to take the right way of country's development. Then both political opposition, hundreds of them were imprisoned, and the entire nation, again left with no future, suffered from the strongest hit.

I am sure that this date will remain forever in the history of Belarus, in the history of the Resistance, as well as other events and dates, when our country had a chance to become a free democratic state. I am sure that when the Belarusians will get the next chance then they will have the courage to take the Square in order to defeat the dictatorship.