Pavel Sevyarynets: We Insist on the Meeting with Representatives of the Minsk City Executive Committee

The celebration of the 100th anniversary of BPR should be a civil action.

During the press conference of the National Organizing Committee the co-Chairman of the organizing committee for the creation of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party Pavel Sevyarynets told how they had applied for a festive procession on Freedom Day. Charter97.org publishes the speech of the politician:

- On January 25, we sent an application in the Minsk City Executive Committee to hold a march from Independence Avenue to Freedom Square; the rally-concert will be held from 4 to 6 pm.

We asked the host party to hold the meeting for discussion. I think you remember how the authorities blocked debates on Freedom Day last year. Their own instructions were violated and we were answered later less than five days before the action. There was no discussion. This time we insist on the meeting.

The representative of the National Organizing Committee Ryhor Kostuseu had telephone conversations with all possible officials at the Minsk City Executive Committee to hold a meeting.

Unfortunately, it campaign has failed. On February 2, a written appeal was filed. It called for organization of the meeting on February 7, as it is the visiting day at the head of the Minsk City Executive Committee Andrei Shorts.

Having received no answer, I and Maksim Vinyarski tried to make a personal appointment. We were told that the application was under consideration and would be answered in writing. We made four attempts to meet Shorts. You can see the result. There is a month and a half left before the action. We will not leave a door to be knocked on. The Bible says: keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

Nevertheless, in order to move the Minsk City Executive Committee in the beginning of consideration of the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian People's Republic, we launch the popular application campaign. We hope that hundreds of Belarusians will support this campaign and send their letters to Andrei Shorts. It is aimed at making people calling the Minsk City Executive Committee to authorize the action of March 25.

In addition, every day we hold "Independence selfie" campaign. It has been launched 50 days before the 100th anniversary of proclamation of the BPR. The campaign started at house 50, Independence Avenue, and every day we take the picture near the house of a corresponding number.