Paranoia: Riot policemen cordoned off central Minsk (Photo, video)

The regime is so week that it is in horror of appeals in social networks.

Recently an initiative started in social networks: to come to central squares of different cities for “open air celebrations” every Wednesday at 7 p.m. On July 8 there were about 400 participants at such a rally on (Kastrychnitskaya) October Square in Minsk. The promenade has taken place in dozens of district cities as well. The open air celebrations, without flags or posters – such a form of protest had been chosen for participants not to be charged with organizing an unsanctioned rally. Demands of the participants are clear even without slogans – political and economic changes.

Today, a few hours before the rally, 10 police buses and 2 paddy wagons were standing on October Square behind the Palace of Republic in Internatsyanalnaya Street. Besides, there were police buses in the yards behind “Tsentralny” supermarket. Policemen in black uniform brought metallic security barriers from the Palace of Republic and limited access to the square, “Nasha Niva” informs.

A few passages were left – from the “Tsentralny” supermarket, from the Palace of Trade Unions, near the bus stop of bus #100. There were riot policemen with metals detectors near the entrances. It was forbidden to park cars between Engels Street and the square.

By the House of Officers, near October metro station there were a fire fighting vehicle equipped by water jet cannons and a paddy wagon.

Meanwhile, students of the Academy of Physical Culture were shepherded to the square. It was announced through a voice amplifier that they were to train there before the parade on July 3.

No one was allowed to come to the part of the square fenced by the security barriers. All people were told to go bypassing the security barriers, until the end of the event. Riot policemen checked the bags of those few people (mostly journalists) who were allowed to enter.

All others were pushed away from the centre of the square, for them “not to hinder the rehearsal.” People standing on the stairs of the palace of Trade Unions were driven away as well. A riot policeman could only explain a reporter of “Nasha Niva” that “it was not the right place, one cannot stay there.”

The Liberty Square which is situated nearby was closed off by security barriers as well. Trains did not stop at October metro station.

Large numbers of people gathered in the pedestrian underpass under the Independence Avenue near McDonalds. Jamming could be caused by that. The situation was rather dangerous. Some people crossed the Avenue and were standing near the Central park. People were also standing on the sidewalk near “Tsentral” supermarket, in the both mini-parks in Lenin Street on the both sides of the avenue, near the State Department store. Then dozens of people started to walk along the avenue. The total number of people, who had come to the centre of Minsk urged by appeals in social networks, was more than 1,000, according to estimates of mass media.