Sannikov and Nyaklyaeu on Freedom Square: “See you on December 19!” (Video, photo)

Candidates for presidency urged Belarusians to gather on Kastrychnitskaya square and declare strikes in case of rigged election results.

Before the beginning of the meeting there was an attempt to obstruct the site of the rally in Freedom Square with building machinery and cars. However, after an address to the Central Election Commission was made, these actions were stopped.

In 18 a.m. about 2,000 persons came to the meeting with Andrei Sannikov and Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu in Minsk.

National flags, flags of the civil campaigns “European Belarus” and “Tell the Truth!” were fluttering. A stage was placed there. Belarusian rock music was heard from speaker system. Well-known persons gathered on the square: the first leader of the independent Belarus Stanislau Shushkevich, leaders of many oppositional political parties, youth and public organizations.

Officers of special services in plainclothes were on duty around the square. They observed the rally and captured the rally on video.

The first one to address the people was Andrei Dzmitrieu, the campaign chief of Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu. He stated that on December 19 dozens of people would gather on October Square, and urged Minsk dwellers to show solidarity and provide accommodation to people arriving to Minsk from provinces.

A well-known journalist Iryna Khalip, Andrei Sannikov’s wife, also urged all people to gather on October Square, and stated that they should not fear intimidation by the authorities, “who have just thee days of their power left.”

“December 16 is the Day of our Solidarity. And December 19 is to become the day of the serious trial for us, as on this day we would have to answer ourselves and the whole world the question: who we are, what kind of people we are, what we can do and what we deserve. But I believe that we can gather on the square on this day and to stay there till victory. Our values are love to our land, freedom and respect for persons,” Iryna Khalip stated.

A prominent rock musician Ihar Varashkevich and a singer-songwriter Zmitser Vajtsjushkevich played at the meeting.

Varashkevich played the song “Be with us!” Before the song he stated: “We must change the situation, as we cannot live like this any more.”

Varashkevich sang “I was born here” and shouted “It’s high time to replace bald tyre!”

A candidate for presidency Andrei Sannikov stated in his speech on the Square that in case of electoral fraud he plans to urge Belarusians to go on strikes.

“Today is the Day of Belarusian Solidarity. In Belarus and in all parts of the world people hold rallies in support of our fight for freedom. And we are close to the victory in this fight. All Belarus has awakened. Lukashenka’s regime has collapsed. More and more people are gathering for rallies in support of a new free Belarus. Lukashenka is frightened, he cannot set anything against the will of the nation, that is why everything is going on under the old scenario: the early vote under duress, blackmailing, threats; they are going to steal our votes again. But we won’t allow doing so. The nation needs a choice, not falsifications. The nation does not need Lukashenka – the last dictator of Europe. Belarus needs freedom! Europe needs free Belarus, Russia needs free Belarus, and we shall defend this freedom on December 19 at 8 p.m.

In case of electoral fraud I will make an appeal to declare strikes. We have a right to live in a free country. And we shall have a free life!” Andrei Sannikov stated.

A candidate for presidency Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu stated that on December 19 people on the Square would demand to hold a new presidential election without Lukashenka. He underlined: this appeal can unite all Belarusians.

A coordinator of “For Fair Election” campaign Syarhei Kalyakin has also addressed the meeting. He stated that Lukashenka does not have a right to run in this election, as long as all elections and referenda in Belarus had been recognized illegitimate.

Yauhen Afnagel, a youth leader and Andrei Sannikov’s electioneering agent, made a speech. He urged young people not to yield to intimidation, not to take part in the early voting and to come to the square on December 19.

“I am addressing the young people who came to the square in September 2001, who were standing there in frosty days and nights in March 2006; to those who were fighting for freedom even when others gave up; to those who offered hope to fellow countrymen by their firm belief, to those who remember “Zubr”. The time has come to recall the words of our oath we all have sworn. The time has come when your responsibility, your courage, your honour and your devotion, your help are required. Two months ago our flags were fluttering over the city, and we have got over the fear which had been incited by the dictator for 16 years. We needed two months for that, and we need a few days on the Square to win a victory over the dictatorship,” the youth leader said.

In the end of the meeting from the stage Sannikov and Nyaklyaeu made phone calls to their friends and acquaintances to invite them to Kastrychnitskaya (October) Square on December 19, and called upon those present to do the same. Participants of the rally followed their example.