Hundreds of thousands of people have gone on a protest march against Lukashenko in Minsk / Article / LSM.lv

Hundreds of thousands of people have gone on a protest march against Lukashenko in MinskRihards Plūme00:00 / 00:00

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The media reports that more than 100,000 people are taking part in the march. The march has not been sanctioned by the authorities and the militia has intensified in the center of Minsk. People are also holding protests in other Belarusian cities, including Baranovichi, Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Lida, Mogilev. Mozyr, Pinsk, Soligorsk, Vitebsk, Zhlobin.

People from all over Belarus were invited to go to Minsk’s Independence Square, from where a procession called the “New Belarus March” was planned. Already in the morning in the direction of Minsk there was heavy traffic. Residents of the capital, often accompanied by car horns, also went to the center in smaller and larger columns from all corners of the city.

Long before the action, there was a much larger presence of militia and even army in and around the city than usual. Security guards had taken care to make the road to the center more difficult by demarcating various streets, closing some metro stations and setting up checkpoints on the outskirts of Minsk. However, it did not stop the flow of people towards the square. Security guards are located in many parts of the city. The presence of so-called “autakaku” or cars transporting detainees in the city is also significant. There are also water jets and ambulances in which men hide in black uniforms. In Independence Square, the militia addressed the people from the loudspeakers, urging them to disperse.

According to various estimates, between 100,000 and 200,000 people have taken to the streets of Minsk today, possibly beating the protests that took place last Sunday,

which has already been called the greatest in the history of Belarus. Those gathered in Independence Square have kept a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the protests, as well as chanting various slogans, including “Go away!” and “Long live Belarus!” (UHODJI). Near the square to the TV channel “Nastojashaja Vremja” a resident of Minsk expressed his position on why he will take part in the campaign today.

“We have some opinion here that we are seizing power. In fact, we did not vote for Lukashenko. Our votes were stolen. Lukashenko stole power and is not giving back our votes. Here is a car wreck. Let’s say so, law enforcement side.Yes, wrong and wrong, but people are already up to their necks! Why are no cases brought about the dead, where are those responsible ?! And what kind of orange revolution here ?! What color revolution ?! I came with an umbrella! ” its a protester.

Currently, people are walking several kilometers along Independence Avenue. Members of the Coordination Council also took part in the protests. People have also taken to the streets in at least ten other Belarusian cities, such as Bobrujsk, where thousands of people have taken to the streets.

The demonstration started in Independence Square near the Government House and went to the hotel “Plaņeta”, where a rally is planned. However, some of the protesters walked along the Winners’ Avenue to the State Flag Square. However, as they approached the Independence Palace, where Lukashenko’s working residence is located, the further road along the Victory Avenue and access to the Independence Castle was immediately blocked by the Omani. Shortly afterwards, a helicopter landed at Independence Castle.

The footage shown by the TV channel “Dozhj” shows that Lukashenko gets out of it with a Kalashnikov machine in his hand and goes to the castle.

The Ministry of the Interior called today to “listen to the voice of reason and not give in to provocations”, which are apparently expected today. Meanwhile, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense today issued a statement warning that the army will protect memorial sites to the Soviet warriors in World War II. Dozens of soldiers are stationed at the stele in Victory Square, as well as at the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. The ministry has compared the protesters to the fascists and warned that the troublemakers would not deal with the militia, but with the army. The ministry’s statement has caused confusion among many.

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