Not To 'Dance Away' Our Independence

Patriots continue the unequal fight for the freedom and independence of the country.

The arguments about the format of the festive event on the 100th anniversary of the Freedom Day is a clear illustration of the polarization which exists inside the Belarusian patriotic opposition. One part continues the unequal struggle for the country's freedom and independence, the danger of losing which is growing again. The other chose to adapt to the existing situation.

It's not even about the fact that without the first of the mentioned opposition parts there wouldn't be even a subject for this discussion. As the authorities would send the patriotic forces to celebrate the jubilee at the ordinary "dog-walking place", to which the latter would agree, as part of the routine.

The point is, there is the third party, which, in the end, will determine the destiny of the country and its independence. It's the Belarusian people. Most ordinary people are going through hard times. They already hate their former idol and start looking for an alternative.

A year ago, they cast a glance at the patriotic forces. People came out with social protests under our flags, with our slogans. The entire Belarus watched our Freedom Day attentively for the first time on March 25 last year, giving it its own, contemporary meaning. This was a historical accomplishment of the patriotic forces.

Yes, there was brutal dispersion, depression and disappointment. However, the hatred towards the authorities and the longing for changes didn't go anywhere.

Patriots must become spokesmen for the interests and aspirations of the majority, become leaders. The future of Belarus depends on this.

If, on the anniversary of the brutal suppression of the people's uprising for their rights, we only listen to music and dance inside the fenced space as the authorities have already promised, then we will discredit ourselves in the eyes of those people who followed us a year ago.

And having lost the respect of the people, we could lose Belarus, as for the majority of Belarusians there is only one alternative to the hated government, apart from us. This alternative is the force that is hostile to our independence.

Who will celebrate what on March 25, if we "dance away" the hard-won trust?

Mikalai Statkevich, Facebook