Entrepreneurs of Belarus Took the Square (Updated)

Protest action of entrepreneurs was held today in Minsk.

Individual entrepreneurs (IEs), who refuse to work for two months because of Lukashenka's Decree No. 222, are called to take Kastrychnitskaya Square at 12 am in Minsk.

"It is time to act, when we must step up and make them take into account our opinion. These people have failed to learn how to run the state. There is no piece of hope left. They want to keep their treasures safe, but we want to survive! We want a better future for our children! So, everybody should be involved. Otherwise, there will be no one to protect you and your children, when it comes to you," leader of entrepreneurs Ales Makayeu said.

"They won't stop stealing from the people. But we can stop them. I personally support the rally of February 15, Kastrychnitskaya Square, Minsk. I urge IEs to participate in it. Who is going to protect us? I urge all people who do not want one person to retain power in his hands to participate in the rally on February 15," leader of the Belarusian opposition Mikalai Statkevich stated.

"The country is not in the dead-end, but, as people say, in deep sh*t ! The Red House has lack of money, effective programs, ideas, support and people's confidence. The government itself pushes to the Maidan," Anatol Liabedzka, the head of the United Civil Party, is convinced.

People started to gather at Kastrychnitskaya Square at 11.55 a.m. Besides sole traders from Minsk and regions, leaders of Belarusian opposition Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, Mikalai Statkevich, Anatol Liabedzka, Pavel Seviarynets and leaders of sole traders Ales Makayeu, Mikalai Charnavus, Ales Talstyka also came to the protest rally. Coordinator of European Belarus Maxim Viniarski came to the rally wearing a t-shirt with a print “Lukashenka, leave!”

According to the mass media more than 1000 people took part in the rally. Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu said there were 2000 people present.

Many of the protesters came up with empty saucepans, iron cups and spoons. The sole traders set up a banner “For the freedom of sole traders!” on the stairs of the Palace of the Republic.

At the beginning of the rally Ales Makayeu offered that they should stay at the Square until all the participants from Minsk and regions join them. Many of the protesting people showed indignation at the fact that Lukashenka called sole traders bandits. Baranavichy based sole trader Mikalai Charnavus arrived to the rally wearing a badge “Bandit”. During the speech at the beginning of the rally Ales Makayeu and Ales Talstyka demanded that Lukashenka should apologize for the insults addressed to the sole traders. The protesting sole traders chanted slogans “Let us work!” “Join us!” and “Long live Belarus!” The participants of the rally called Lukashenka “the illegitimate usurper, who has been illegally in power since 1996” in their interview to the media.

Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu said in his speech to the participants of the rally: “Each of us who's doing something is an entrepreneur. Lukashenka strangles entrepreneurs because he's afraid of the middle class, economically independent people. The regime strangles all manifestations of freedom. The EU is going to lift sanctions against Lukashenka in Brussels today. I suggest that here and now we should adopt an appeal to the EU politicians: Lukashenka skins the nation alive and you lift sanctions against him.” Most of the protesters voted for such an appeal to the European politicians.

A sole trader from Slutsk, speaking at the rally, said that sole traders of the regions are ready to come daily to Minsk rallies, and, if need be, “to get there by bikes”. She was supported by leader of sole traders Ales Makayeu, who proposed them to gather on October Square every Monday or Sunday until Lukashenka's Decree №222 and № 40 are canceled.

Pavel Seviarynets supported the idea of regular protests and called to step up pressure on Lukashenka. Seviarynets said that “a new protest structure is to be crystallized by Mondays protests“, and the politicians are ready to provide organizational support to sole traders.

The leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Liabedzka called all the sole traders to gether next Monday and not to slow down the rate of resistance. He also urged sole traders not to be afraid and to announce that to all their colleagues across the markets of the country.

Addressing the protestors, Liabedzka called Lukashenka a criminal who “had stolen several million votes at the election“. He urged sole traders to come to the court of Maskouski district of Minsk on Tuesday at 14.30, where leader of sole traders from Vitsebsk Iryna Yaskevich will be facing the trial.

Speaking at a meeting Belarusian opposition leader Mikalai Statkevich said: “One man has stolen the power from Belarusian people, stolen the elections, and that where the problems come from. A gang has taken over the country. It’s not a police that we have, but armed servants of one person. Courts serve one person’s interests“.

“When we return power to the people, Belarus will be a successful country and will live a normal life!» – Statkevich concludes.

The audience welcomed his words with shoutings “Long Live Belarus!”, “Statkevich Is Our President!” And “Mіkola!”.

After that Ales Makayeu proposed to adopt the resolution of the meeting. The final resolution of the protesters demanded the unconditional cancellation of the Decrees № 222 and № 40 and non-interference in the affairs of small business. Also, everyone supported the proposal to come to October Square on Monday, February 22 at 12.00.

“Now we’ll pass all the demands of the meeting to the authorities. It has been decided to hold a rally on October Square on February 22, at 12.00. Many thanks to all the sole traders from Minsk and regions, who have come to the rally. I've seen a lot of friends among the protesters. I would also like to thank Belarusian politicians who have supported the action and have come here. Sole traders’ general strike will go on. Sole traders need to understand that they cannot work on gray schemes, we have to draw out normal working conditions,” – Ales Makayeu told the reporters after the official end of the meeting at 13.30.

He also spoke about the EU discussion of the issues of sanctions against Lukashenka's circle: “I would not call off sanctions against Lukashenka’s officials, because people have been abducted in Belarus”.