Yauhen Afnahel: All To Gather In City Center

Events of a century ago clearly show how to do it.

One of the leaders of the Belarusian National Congress, the coordinator of the civil campaign European Belarus Yauhen Afnahel wrote about it on Facebook:

"100 years ago the First All-Belarusian Congress opened in Minsk and became the basis for the proclamation of the Belarusian People's Republic on March 25, 1918. In a few months we will celebrate the anniversary of the regaining of the independence of our state. The events of a hundred years ago clearly show how this should be done.

Delegates of the First All-Belarusian Congress did not arrange exhibitions and concerts on the outskirts of cities, did not hide in cafes and party headquarters. They did not ask permission from the enemies, even though there were more of them than now.

They understood that without a decent demonstration of the people's will to establish their state, this state would never be. Therefore, they gathered in the center of Minsk, managed to overcome acute contradictions and disagreements, and by their first resolution declared the power of the Bolsheviks to be illegal in the territory of the country.

That was an important step towards the establishment of our state. Afterwards there were many difficulties and losses, but without that event there would not be neither March 25, nor the independent Belarus today.

Freedom Day, which is only a couple of months away, can also be an important step towards the unification of patriots and towards changes in the country. The Belarusian National Congress proposed to celebrate this holiday with dignity, so that we weren't ashamed for ourselves. We should gather in the center on Minsk and march along Nezalezhnastsi Avenue. The demonstration on the anniversary of the establishment of the BPR must convince all enemies of our country that we are ready to defend it. We cannot achieve it celebrating at the clubs and apartments.

All for whom freedom and independence of the country are important should prepare the action together. A hundred years ago, patriots somehow managed to agree among themselves for the main purpose. Can we do the same today?"