Victory Requires Taking the Streets

Mass action that sweeps the Lukashenka regime will be launched by the smaller ones.

One of leaders of the Belarusian National Congress Mikalai Statkevich wrote on Facebook.

"Every time the Belarusian National Congress (BNC) announces other action, social networks burst with discussions about wisdom of mass protests in general. Internet users are intimidated with the "Maidan which brings no good". Organizers are required unreal "guarantees." Belarusians are offered easy and safe ways of democratic changes, including participation in "elections" on the conditions of the regime; appeal to international institutions; collection of signatures for a referendum or under petitions; creation of alternative "authorities".

Changes through elections are great. But the problem is to find the way to hold true elections instead off the election circus organized by the regime. The appointment of several allegedly opposition members to democracy as "deputies" does not make a difference in this circus. It does not matter who agrees to become a clown. The circus is still the circus.

Complaints to international courts or mass petitions to local bodies have not yet made a difference anywhere in the world. The decisions of the UN Committee on Human Rights, the only international body that considers complaints of Belarusians, are neglected by the Belarusian state. In 2015 the collection of signatures for the "people's referendum" ended only with beating the plan on waste paper. And I can't imagine the situation when the corrupt and illegal authority being awaken to a sense of shame will resign on its own. I don't have enough imagination.

The creation of alternative state institutions has its own history. In the mid-90s the BPF initiated admission to "citizens of BPR" and even issued corresponding passports. This alternative reality was failing and was forgotten soon. The spring attempt of 1999 to organize alternative presidential elections ended badly. Lists of alternative election commissions consisting mostly of members of opposition organizations were submitted to local executive committees. As a result, all members of these commissions were taken for interrogations to the KGB. Criminal cases on establishment of illegal state bodies were initiated. A significant part of activists refused to participate in political activities after such a backstabbing.

No matter how much you strive for easy and safe ways, there are none. Peaceful changes require work, courage and patience. In fact, it is necessary to repeatedly take squares of our cities to force the power to concessions. Victory requires hundreds of thousands of people on the streets. Large-scale actions follow small ones. Everything starts with a brave minority. It is hard to say when the process is launched.

Emancipation Day starts at 2 pm, July 3, Kastrychnitskaya Square, Minsk. Let the time of our emancipation become closer. Belarus will be free.

Power to the people! Long Live Belarus!