Natallia Papkova: I Will Always Remember the March of Angry Belarusians

This autumn protest actions will rise again.

Natallia Papkova, Brest activist of the Organizing Committee of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (People's Hramada) and Young Belarus, told in the interview with Charter97.org.

- You have actively patircipated in many protest actions, met with many people. What was the mood of ordinary protesters?

- People were very optimistic and had a combative mood. The abolition of the tax on "parasitism" was not enough, they wanted the president to resign. I think that when Decree No. 3 is raised again, people will again take the streets and fight for their rights. People are determined and the authorities are unable to stop protest sentiments.

- Rallies of the passing spring will be remembered not only by their number, but also by the scale. Was that a surprise to you that Brest took up the torch from Minsk?

- That was not a surprise. The situation in the regions is much worse.

Belarusians took the streets of their cities despite repressions, intimidation of the authorities and simply refuted the established myth of a "patient" Belarusian.

- What will you remember? Let you name three the most prominent moments.

- The rally of February 17, the March of Angry Belarusians, was the most prominent event. I overcame my fear and decided to have a speech on an improvised podium. It was unforgettable. I also remember how Mikalai Statkevich met me. He offered me to head the Brest branch of the People's Hramada. This moment will stay in my memory forever. I will always remember the support and the solidarity of Belarusians who came to rallies and offered help, offered a shelter before actions, because activists were fought against with preventive detentions. I will always remember it. When analyzing these events I'd like to sum up: this autumn protest actions will rise again.