Self-employed entrepreneurs waiting for minister - in pictures
Between 300 and 400 self-employed entrepreneurs from Minsk and the regions gathered on March 14 at 1300 in front of the Ministry for Taxation's building. They brought their written appeals, demanding to abolish the president's decree No 222, which sets mandatory certrification for light industry goods. The protesters came following the call from their leader Anatol Shumchanka who heads the national public association of self-employed entrepreneurs "Perspektyva." The authorities had not allowed a street rally titled "March of Entrepreneurs", prompting the people to express their protest in a different manner. Entrepreneurs were crying out "Jobs!", "Abolish Decree No 222!", "Minister, Come out!".
However, it was time for lunch break at the ministry. When the Suggestion Box turned out to be small to accommodate all the written appeals, the protesters decided to wait for the end of the lunch break and submit their appeals into the hands of officials. Among those who spoke to the protesters were Anatol Shumchanka and opposition politicians Mikola Statkevich and Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu. The police drew reports on those holding red-white-red posters or wearing white-red-white caps.
No official expressed desire to come out and pick the appeals from the protesters during the break. However, at 1420, the ministry's spokesman came up to Anatol Shumchanka and said he would collect the appeals personally from every protester. He did so in the end.
