Say the Truth campaign fails to make friends with official youth union
Police commandos prevent Say the Truth activists from discussing elections in Belarus with the youth from the official youth union (BRSM). Traffic police inspectors have treated them as suspects of theft.
The youth from BRSM camped in tents from June 21 through June 25 at the Galaxy tourist camping site near the town of Rakau.
“We came in in order to inform them about the results of the monitoring of the local elections carried by the Say the Truth campaign", activist Yuras Aleynik told Euroradio. "As far as I am informed, this summer camp is devoted to preparations for the next presidential elections. Yesterday, Central Electoral Commission chairwoman Lidziya Yarmoshyna was here to mee with the youth so I guess they were given the pro-government information. I think the independent information can also be useful to them”.
But depite good intentions, Say the Truth activists were not allowed to enter the territory of the camp. It is worth noting that the youth camp was guarded by police commandos, not ordinary watchmen:
— Sorry, the territories of this camp is rented. Closed-door events are taking place, so we do not allow strangers in.
— We simply want to make friends and talk.
— Their boss made it clear he did not want to see strangers here.
— We are not strangers!
Several minutes into the conversations, Vital Brel who is charge of youth affairs at the Minsk City Hall, came out. But the activists again failed to be allowed to enter the camp.
Vital Brel: Dear colleagues. You have come so unexpectedly…
Mikhas Bashura: Perhaps, we have come somewhat unexpectedly indeed, but I don't see any problem. Why can't we agree and talk to you. We will not occupy a lot of time, just 5 minutes. We will proceed and talk to the youth.
— I don't see it necessary. I reckon the youth are busy now and I don't deem it necessary to distract them.
— Will they have free time today?
— Today, they will not have free time at all.
Having failed to enter the territory of the camp, Say the Truth activists had to pass the materials for the youth through Mr Brel. He promised to first study them.
— Perhaps, it will be possible to pass over the materias about the local election monitoring carrie out by the Say the Truth campaign? I think it will be useful to them.
— You can give me.
— Will you hand them out for sure?
— Yo have left the materials and I will go through them.
Yuras Aleynik believes that although they failed to accomplish their plan, they still managed to achieve their goal partially. He says activists will try to make contacts with BRSM at other events.
On the way back, two cars with Say the Truth volunteers were stopped by the road police. According to an inspector, a cottage had been robbed nearby, so they were stopping all the vehicles. After checking IDs, all the activists were let go.
The youth from BRSM camped in tents from June 21 through June 25 at the Galaxy tourist camping site near the town of Rakau.
“We came in in order to inform them about the results of the monitoring of the local elections carried by the Say the Truth campaign", activist Yuras Aleynik told Euroradio. "As far as I am informed, this summer camp is devoted to preparations for the next presidential elections. Yesterday, Central Electoral Commission chairwoman Lidziya Yarmoshyna was here to mee with the youth so I guess they were given the pro-government information. I think the independent information can also be useful to them”.
But depite good intentions, Say the Truth activists were not allowed to enter the territory of the camp. It is worth noting that the youth camp was guarded by police commandos, not ordinary watchmen:
— Sorry, the territories of this camp is rented. Closed-door events are taking place, so we do not allow strangers in.
— We simply want to make friends and talk.
— Their boss made it clear he did not want to see strangers here.
— We are not strangers!
Several minutes into the conversations, Vital Brel who is charge of youth affairs at the Minsk City Hall, came out. But the activists again failed to be allowed to enter the camp.
Vital Brel: Dear colleagues. You have come so unexpectedly…
Mikhas Bashura: Perhaps, we have come somewhat unexpectedly indeed, but I don't see any problem. Why can't we agree and talk to you. We will not occupy a lot of time, just 5 minutes. We will proceed and talk to the youth.
— I don't see it necessary. I reckon the youth are busy now and I don't deem it necessary to distract them.
— Will they have free time today?
— Today, they will not have free time at all.
Having failed to enter the territory of the camp, Say the Truth activists had to pass the materials for the youth through Mr Brel. He promised to first study them.
— Perhaps, it will be possible to pass over the materias about the local election monitoring carrie out by the Say the Truth campaign? I think it will be useful to them.
— You can give me.
— Will you hand them out for sure?
— Yo have left the materials and I will go through them.
Yuras Aleynik believes that although they failed to accomplish their plan, they still managed to achieve their goal partially. He says activists will try to make contacts with BRSM at other events.
On the way back, two cars with Say the Truth volunteers were stopped by the road police. According to an inspector, a cottage had been robbed nearby, so they were stopping all the vehicles. After checking IDs, all the activists were let go.
