"We Strive for Belarus Where Everyone Can Freely Express Themselves, as It Should Be According to the Constitution"

Here are quotes from the heroine of the Belarusian protests, basketball player Alena Leuchanka.

Top Belarusian basketball player Alena Leuchanka has become one of the brightest symbols of the Belarusian revolution.

The tut.by portal has collected bold quotes from recent interviews with the athlete, where she spoke about the situation in the country, lack of freedom, and attitude towards peaceful protests in Belarus.

About laws and lawlessness

In Europe's center in the 21st century, things are happening, from which grandfathers and great-grandfathers liberated the country. I am sure many Belarusians cannot believe it.

No one can understand the nature of such brutality of the security forces. The authorities use the old methods - to repress, intimidate, beat. To force a person to hide in a hole and be quiet. This is the only thing they are capable of. But the spirit cannot be killed. This is a completely different people.

Laws are remembered only when it is necessary to justify lawlessness. If it is impossible to arrest, they hide behind an "unauthorized event," although every person, I repeat, has the right to peaceful protest. And there is no law when it comes to punishing those responsible for the violence.

About solidarity and admiration for Belarusians

Sometimes you just want to scream. And all the same, it is necessary to maintain perseverance, endurance. I think the Belarusians themselves do not yet fully realize how strong they are.

I have played in many countries, and from there, people write to me, admiring the solidarity of Belarusians. Even Russians, they are impressed by the peaceful protests to which we have the right both under the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and under the UN charter.

Today our people are more united than ever; support comes from all sides. It can also be seen from the athletes. It helps to move on, gives hope, and gives strength. Only in this way can we continue and no longer ask but demand to be heard.

The fact that you are together should unite us even more. To move, you have to stay strong. And difficult situations only temper. When the law enforcement officers themselves, not protesters, broke the glass in the coffee shop, the next day, there was a line of people willing to buy a cup of coffee. Support and help. There are simply no words; I am in incredible admiration. Only together we can make our country the way we see it - free, independent, and beautiful.

About pluralism and freedom

They just want to artificially divide us. Pay attention: national symbols prevail on peaceful marches, but the state symbols also slip through, and someone carries both flags for balance. People do not fight about this, do not attack each other. We are one people because our votes have been stolen from all of us; the current government is equally mocking us and does not value us. Try to wedge yourself into the ranks of those who are marching in a column "for Lukashenka." They will swear, humiliate, and expel you. That's all you need to know about pluralism.

Each person has his own opinion, his own conscience, and he must rely on these things. After all, we are striving for Belarus, where everyone can freely express themselves, as it should be according to the Constitution. Don't feel oppressed or afraid. But these feelings of oppression and fear are instilled in us from birth. We live with them; they are part of us. Probably, if international competitions in this kind of "sport" were held, the Belarusians would have won medals.

Forgive me, I cannot be silent, not to talk about what is happening. Conscience does not allow. My parents raised me like that. It is impossible to watch the injustice that I also see every day. Perhaps someone can distance themselves and sleep well even with such a load. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I personally can't keep calm. Fortunately, there is tremendous support from ordinary people, fans, colleagues, relatives. Thanks to this, we all hold on.

Let us remind you that Alena Leuchanka received 15 days of arrest for taking part in unauthorized mass events. The arrest of the basketball player caused a wave of solidarity in the Belarusian society.