European Belarus and Young Front: We need not to celebrate, but to protest

A rally on March 25 will be held under slogans “Freedom for political prisoners!” and “We demand new elections without Lukashenka”.

People of Belarus are to come to Yakub Kolas Square at 6:00 pm March 25, on Freedom Day, in spite of a ban of the Minsk municipal authorities and cowardice of certain politicians. This statement was made today by Mikalai Dzemidzenka, the deputy head of Young Front, and Maksim Vinyarski, a coordinator of European Belarus civil campaign.

A press conference focusing on Freedom Day was held today on the stairs of the court of Maskouski district of Minsk, where the Young Front leader was standing trial.

“We cannot accept an offer to celebrate the Freedom Day on Bangalore Square. But what is even more unacceptable is cancelling a rally,” Mikalai Dzemidzenka stressed. “We know that all people are not ready to go to an unauthorized action, but those who are not afraid must gather on Yakub Kolas Square at 6:00 pm,” he added.

Maksim Vinyarski said that March 25 is a great day for the people of Belarus. “But we can lay flowers to monuments on any other day. At the moment, we have more reasons to protest rather than to celebrate. Our leaders and friends are behind bars. Some of them have already been sentences, some are expecting trials. Alyaksandr Atroshchankau marks his 30th birthday in jail. We must demand to release political prisoners and do it decisively,” Vinyarski said.

The youth leaders noted that it was no point in having a dialogue with the authorities, agree with them on a place of holding mass actions and going to court against them, because the authorities are illegitimate.

The rally on March 25 will be held with slogans “Freedom for political prisoners!” and “We demand new elections without Lukashenka!” on Yakub Kolas Square at 6:00 pm.