Protest of Entrepreneurs to Start from Baranavichy

• 11.02.2008, 9:50

Today at 12 noon entrepreneurs plan to hold an unsanctioned protest rally against Decree No. 760. The major protest rally of entrepreneurs is planned for February 18 on October Square in Minsk.

Earlier Baranavichy city executive committee said no to entrepreneurs to their request to hold the protest rally. The authorities explained that measures of insuring public order, medical assistance and cleaning up haven’t been stated. However, applicants say that their letter had been written in keeping with all demands. An activist of the movement of entrepreneurs Mikalay Charnavus said:

“The government is against, and people are in favour of it, the City executive committee is against, and people are in favour of it. I think that other regions would catch it up, and there would be continuation. All regions are looking at Baranavichy now. Everybody knew there was a request made in Baranavichy. Baranavichy has taken an active part in the rallies on January 10 and 21. Just think, there were about 300 persons from Baranavichy at the meeting in Minsk”.

As we have informed, the main protest rally of entrepreneurs is planned for February 18 on October Square in Minsk. Activists threaten to put up tents on the square.

“We must put up tents, we should stay on the Square, and we should call upon all juridical entityies, all hired workers to support our “ploshcha” (the Square), to give all the help they can. We should offer an economic demand – alteration of the Decree No. 760. Only organized masses can reverse this decree, if there would be many of them. And we mustn’t be afraid of it,” told the member of the coordinating committee of entrepreneurs Ales Makaeu.