Veranika Mishchenka: Protest Wave Catches Belarus

A country for life can only be built without Lukashenka.

Video marketer and activist of People's Hramada, Veranika Mishchenka, who was released after 30 days of arrest, is very grateful to Belarusians for solidarity and support. In an interview with Charter97.org, she told how the new wave of protests gave her a confidence boost in victory.

- Has Belarus changed dramatically during these 30 days while you were under arrest?

- I was sure people would take to the streets. When during the rally for signature collection a guy made a proposal to my namesake Veranika on June 7, I realized that Belarus had been reborn! Even the first stage of signature collection on May 24 proved a new era had begun. I saw the eyes of people standing next to me in Minsk, Homel and Zhlobin.

I keep in touch with Lukashenka's electorate, but he lost them when he began to fight with women and children, began to abduct people on the streets.

Indeed, 97% of us are people with different political views, but with one goal. We want to live in a country for life, in a country without Lukashenka.

- The CEC denied registration to rating opponents of the regime - Valery Tsepkala and Viktar Babaryka. Did Lukashenka chicken out?

- Frankly speaking, I expected Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to be rejected too. Lukashenka, of course, chickened out. He saw people supported these leaders. The actions showed that people supported various candidates. Lukashenka sees that people unite against him. He chickens out from the very beginning of this campaign.

- What is the peculiarity of the protests?

- Belarusians defend not only their candidates but their votes. Of course, no one expected such an activity.

I feel that everything in our country coincided. When there was no coronavirus, young people said "I'm an IT specialist, I can leave", entrepreneurs still supported a decent living standard. Today, everybody is in a desperate situation: everybody realized that there's no place for us to go, this is our country and we have to fight for it.

We won't miss this spark. Everything happens the way Mikalai Statkevich said, a real protest avalanche began. It happens due to mass actions.

Many chat rooms offer a lot of ideas and suggestions on how to organize ourselves. It seems to me that events will escalate until August 9. Yes, the situation is extremely unpredictable, but it's so great that there is no "stability".

- There was just an amazing atmosphere during the last few rallies. What did you like the most?

- On Tuesday, we went to Masherova Avenue and a column of motorists was horning, pots were rattling in the windows. It was great! We were just standing there and waving our hands. An old lady was walking, waving to the young and crying. Belarusians have seen solidarity between generations. In principle, we have become a nation at these rallies. Each of us is doing what one can to the best of one's ability and desire. Everyone can take part in it. It was the most exciting.

- People discuss and offer different forms of protest: a strike, the Square, an economic boycott. Which of them do you think will be the most effective in our situation?

- I think all of them. The strike and civil disobedience actions will prepare us for the Square. Moreover, young people now hold many creative events; people meet there, make friends.

This is how civil consciousness is formed, solidarity is being strengthened. People charge each other with strength and energy. They see there are many of them. Then they come home, to work, to educational institutions and share their impressions and thoughts. New communities and new leaders appear.

I think there will be dozens of Squares all over Belarus. Those who have already felt the taste of freedom and dignity will not abandon their principles.

- Siarhei Tsikhanouski had one of the first interviews with you. Then he asked you: "What should be done to make Belarus a country for life?" What would you say today?

- I told him then: "Lukashenka must resign!" My interview, according to Siarhei, switched his blog from economic to political. Tsikhanouski has started building this country, he is now being persecuted for it. That's why my answer is as follows: "A country for life can exist only without Lukashenka!"

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