Uladzimir Shilo: Lukashenka Does not Exist for Belarusians Anymore

The country is boiling.

Unprecedented activity of Belarusians, lines of many kilometres and dozens of cities standing for changes happen for the first time in Belarus.

What has made the whole country awake? What is the secret to successful solidarity actions? Will the Belarusians be able to change the power this year?

Charter97.org spoke to the activist from Salihorsk, member of the initiative group of Viktar Babaryka, Uladzimir Shilo.

- You were collecting signatures for nomination of Viktar Babaryka as president. Tell us about the peculiarities of this campaign. Were there any stories of interest?

- The most interesting thing was that a person who had repeatedly been a trustee of Lukashenka at previous election campaigns came to sign. We were all wearing masks, but we recognized him. The man, who sat during presidiums and meetings side by side with Lukashenka, signed for Viktar Babaryka.

There was also an old lady, born in 1937, who advised us: "I want you to succeed". Different people came to us. Unlike the previous collection of signatures, I met only several people who were trying to throw themselves into a fight and defend their idol Lukashenka. Previously, one needs to get away from such people as soon as possible.

There are a lot of people among signatories born in the 1950s. Young people are also very active. Two boys of 14 years old came, and I had to give them a lecture on what elections were and why they were needed. They wanted to sign, but it's too early for them.

I can say that the collection of signatures was an excellent demonstration of civic activity, such an all-Belarusian flashmob. You are on a picket and see a person 50 metres away from you who's heading to you. One does not need to press to come. I was collecting signatures for Milinkevich in 2006 and it turned into a hell for me: the attitude of people, an attempt to defend Lukashenka. Now it has changed. I was just enjoying this flow of solidarity.

- What has changed in Belarusians during this time?

- Many factors coincided. One of them is that a new generation of Belarusians has grown up. In general, it is in human nature to choose; everyone is tired of this regime. The most important thing is that we have started to live in an information society when people find information on their own; there is an opportunity to compare, analyze and criticize something. The political crisis, the distrust in the institutions of power, has taken on a mass scale. People used to think that only they had problems with the police, courts. However, this campaign showed Belarusians that the whole country had similar problems.

- Pictures of the picket held by Salihorsk miners underground got leaked to the Internet. Are the miners also against Lukashenka?

- I need to say that we're not just against Lukashenka. We are against dictatorship, impudence, vulgar perception of the reality by one person, lawlessness, abnormal economic situation. But the key thing is that we stand for changes.

Today the society has left Lukashenka and the power behind. We have realized our rationality because Belarusians go to live and work in all countries of the world and assimilate there, find themselves. They are successful. We are bad only in the eyes of our government and personally Lukashenka, who humiliates us.

Give just a little hope and people will sprout wings. We can change the world, achieve many things. Just do not abuse people, do not spray crop dust on us and burn us with a flamethrower. Let people live.

I can say that Viktar Babaryka just set in motion this whirlpool, which has already begun to overgrow with mud. Now everything is boiling. From the first second since I joined his initiative group I realized that there was a real chance to fight for a change of power.

It used to be a ritual, a matter of honour, there was no such mass support of people, unlike today.

- Salihorsk quite actively supported the action Chain of Solidarity. Why did the regions deliver such a large-scale response?

- In light of recent events, we do not fall out of a general trend. These chains were built throughout the country. You see the level of income leads to the fact that people will not support this power. In Salihorsk, many people supported alternative candidates: both mine directors and former superiors. They were not afraid to come and sign for changes.

Today one can't measure everything with sausages in Belarus. Freedom matters, people have realized it. A new generation has grown up; everyone sees that an authoritarian country is doomed to failure. People are trying to think of tomorrow.

- A flashmob of solidarity in support of medical and political prisoners is held in Belarus. Do you think it is worth holding such actions?

- Today, any basic initiative that contributes to the degree of political struggle and attracts the attention of the press, neighbours, even BT TV channel is welcomed. We live not just in a non-free country, but in a non-free country under a very strict regime.

Gandhi (he is, of course, a genius) brought India to independence through non-violent resistance. The difference is that Gandhi dealt with decent people, the British. Let's imagine that Gandhi would deal with Stalin. I think that the question would have been resolved quickly, you know. The world would have just not known who Gandhi was then. We deal with indecent people in this country.

- The slogan "We make up 97%" has become very popular today. Do Belarusians feel like the majority?

- I think they do.

- Can this majority become a critical mass that will reverse the course in the country this summer?

- I do hope so. After all, there has never been such an aversion on the part of the authorities yet. People see that changes are needed. Therefore, anything can happen.

The key thing is that there have been structural shifts in people's consciousness. As political scientists say, the will of the people cannot be ignored. The era of Lukashenka has come to its end. Lukashenka does not exist in the minds and hearts of Belarusians. It does not matter how he will call himself. A ruler, a villain or someone else. Let it be.

I would also like to express solidarity with Viktar Babaryka and other political prisoners. I want them to have the strength and courage to make it through this situation and win.

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