Belarusians in New York protest against military conventions between Lukashenka and Russia (Photo)

On February 14, 2009 a meeting of the Association of Belarusian Youth in America (BAZA Youth) and New York branch of the Belarusian-American Association.

The aim of the protest was to attract attention of the US society and the US government to the dangerous steps of Alyaksandr Lukashenka towards militarization of the country. The meeting was held in the busy spot of New York, near the residence of the City Mayor.

Participants of the rally protested against singing military conventions between Belarus and Russia on the common regional air defence system of Belarus and Russia and a collective rapid reaction force on February 3-4.

On behalf of the activists, the chairman of the BAZA Youth Mikalay Tsimashenka expressed solidarity with the “Young Front” activists Pavel Kuryanovich, Zmitser Dashkevich and Mikalay Dzemidzenka, who were beaten up during the protest on February 14 in Minsk.

Mikita Aharodnik has told to those present about activities of the BAZA Youth in their support of Belarusian emigrants and in work with the US authorities.

It was decided to sent a letter to the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with a call to turn attention to the military conventions which endanger the independence of Belarus, and the oppressive policies of Lukashenka’s regime towards the Belarusian youth.

During the second part of the rally signatures in support of creation the Belarusian Christian Democracy party were collected. Besides, it was decided to hold a solidarity meeting of solidarity with the members of the organising committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party on February 28, 2009. The Belarusian Christian Democracy plans to hold a founding congress in Minsk on that day. The meeting is to start at 1 p.m. near the UN building.

Photo by Anatol Starkou