Festive actions of solidarity with Belarus worldwide (PHOTO, VIDEO, UPDATED)
Youth organizations from all over the world are organizing street actions in support of Belarus today, on the 20th anniversary of the Declaration of Sovereignty
The first action took place in Miami, USA, on Sunday. Youth democratic activists from “Young Cuba” sent pictures and videos of the action to Euroradio.
A solidarity action is about to start in Stockholm now. Such actions are also expected to take place in Kiev, Brussles, London, Karlstadt, Malmö, Washington and other cities. Keep listening to Euroradio’s broadcasts.
Brussels, Belgium
"Young Libertarians" will conduct an action near the Belarusian Embassy in Brussels (Av.Moliere 192 1050 Elsene). It will begin at 11 a.m. CEST. The organizers’ phone numbers: +32478031525 or +32498675580
London, Great Britain
The action will take place from 6 till 7 p.m. BST near the Belarusian Embassy in London (6 Kensington Court, W8 5DL London, United Kingdom)
Germany
Berlin: the action will start at 11 a.m. CEST
Sweden
Stockholm: the action will begin at 11 a.m. CEST
Malmö: the action will begin at 5 p.m. CEST
Karlstadt: the action will begin at 4 p.m. CEST
Uppsala, Linköping, Falun: the action will start at 12 p.m. CEST
Australia
Alistair Coe, liberal representative of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, has made a speech dated for the Belarusian holiday. Here’s a passage from it:
"I join many thousands of people urging to establish democracy and freedom in Belarus worldwide.
Belarus lives under the last European dictatorship although it is a European country.
The International Young Democrat Union is the coordinator of the actions of solidarity with democratic Belarus. Like Great Britain, Sweden and the rest of the world we are hoping to see an increase in the movement promoting changes in this Eastern European state”.
Kiev, Ukraine
The celebration of the 20th anniversary of the revival of the Belarusian sovereignty will take place near the monument to Taras Shevchenko at 2 p.m.
Warsaw, Poland
The action will take place near the Belarusian Embassy at 3.30 p.m. CEST.
Christian Holm, Swedish MP of the Moderate Party (Conservatives) is in charge of the Belarusian issue. Christian and his Swedish colleges were detained by the police and KGB in Hrodna in before the presidential election in 2006. They were visiting Belarus in order to support the democratic movement. Christian is forbidden to enter Belarus now and the Belarusian Embassy is simply refusing to accept his diplomatic passport and to consider his application for a visa. The ban was imposed after December 19 –he was present in Independence Square and witnessed the severe dispersal of the peaceful protest action.
Yuras Stankevuch, BPF Party International Working Group. Speaking about the current situation, recalling political prisoners and expressing gratitude to Swedes for their support and solidarity on our behalf – on behalf of the Belarusian people unable to speak freely.
Erik Bengtzboe, head of Sweden’s biggest youth organization – Young Conservatives (of the Moderate Party).
13.20 Hundreds of poeple take part in actions in biggest Swedish cities
Actions of solidarity with Belarus are taking place in Stockholm and a number of other Swedish cities today. Hundreds of people including representatives of the Belarusian diaspora have joined them. Yuras Stankevich, action participant, has informed Euroradio about it on air. According to him, white-red-white flags have been hoisted in the crowd.
Christian Holm, Stockholm speech:
"We have started a global campaign of support of the Belarusian people today. Belarus regained its independence on this day 20 years ago. Unfortunately, freedom and democracy did not stay in Belarus for a long time as the Lukashenka regime brought the country back to the Soviet era characterized by brutality and disrespect for its own people! That is why it is our responsibility to follow the way of stronger support of the Belarusian people and its desire to be free. We have come to this square (Norrmalmstorg ) in the centre of Stockholm today. Hundreds of people gathered here to support the Baltic States and their independence 20 years ago and we have to do everything we can to gather here for a manifestation against the Lukashenka regime so that we could celebrate the freedom of the Belarusian people, the people that deserves it! We are watching Lukashenka’s actions and we will never accept them and we will continue working until his regime is gone!”
Pictures from Stockholm: Yuras Stankevich especially for Euroradio
The action is taking place in the central square of the Swedish capital. A manifestation in support of European countries’ independence from the Soviet Union and the dictatorship of the Soviet regime took place in this square 20 years ago.
Let us note that the manifestations in support of the Belarusian people in Swedish cities have been initiated by youth conservatives – the youth wing of the ruling conservative party.
16:22. Action in Linköping (Sweden)
The manifestation in the central square was initiated by the Young Conservatives (the youth wing of the ruling Moderate Party). Two other youth organizations joined the manifestation despite the fact and about 50 people signed a protest against the violation of human rights in Belarus – just like in Stockholm and some other Swedish cities. The collected signatures will be sent to the Belarusian Embassy.
17:00. Picket in support of political prisoners near Belarusian Embassy in Warsaw
About 40 people are taking part in it. They have hoisted a huge white-red-white flag.
Action participant Ihar has informed Euroradio about it on air. According to him, two representatives of the Embassy passed by the picket. They pretended not to notice the action.
By the way, there are no policemen at all nearby.
Let us remind you that pickets in support of the Belarusian independence are being organized all over the world.
