Rallies of solidarity near Red Church go on

Policemen in mufti observe the rallies of solidarity near the Red Catholic Church in Independence Square in Minsk every day.

Despite of police presence, dozens of concerned people come every evening to lay flowers, light candles and unfurl portraits of the prisoners of the KGB remand jail. Radio Racyja informs.

The relatives of the prisoners usually take part in the protest, they have white-red-white scarves and umbrellas. People sing religious chants. Accidental passers-by and visitors of the shopping centre “Stalitsa” often join the participants.

As said by Dzyanis Sadouski, an executive secretary of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party, participation in the rallies of solidarity has become a tradition for many people already.

“Rallies of solidarity are held every day. Prayer services are held. About 40 persons are taking part in them: relatives of the political prisoners and common citizens who show solidarity with those who are imprisoned. A prayer group of Roman Catholics who pray for return of St. Josef’s Church to believers has joined the rally. They also take part in the prayer of solidarity near the Red Church.”

The first event was staged in Minsk on January 19, a month after dispersal of the protest rally on the Independence Square. First policemen were very nervous about the activists’ gathering, and one of the participants even served an administrative arrest for unfurling the portrait of Mikalai Statkevich publicly.