Viktar Ivashkevich: “Everyone has a choice: complaining in kitchen or demonstrating views in streets”
- 25.03.2009, 11:31
The Minsk city executive committee permitted holding a rally on March 25 in the connection with the anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic and the economic and political situation in the country.
Viktar Ivashkevich, deputy head of the BPF party (this party organizes the event), told newspaper: “Narodnaya Volya”
– On March 18, the authorities permitted celebration of Freedom Day. Gathering of people is appointed at 6.00 p.m. March 25 near the Academy of Sciences. Though they changed the route – we planned to march to October square, but the Minsk city executive committee permitted walking to Banhalor square. In this connection we call on all those who support independence to come out to the permitted place on March 25.
I also call on everyone who is not satisfied with the policy of the authorities to protest. Everyone should bring national symbols to take – a poster with demands to the authorities, portraits of political prisoners or Yana Palyakova, brought to suicide by the authorities. We should not only congratulate one another but also to demonstrate our views. Let everyone prepare personal demonstration.
– You have said earlier that Banhalor square is unacceptable...
– We have what we are given. We gather near the Academy of Sciences, and people will decide there where they will move to. Nobody can make them go where they don’t want to go to.
– A traditional question: how many people do you plan to gather at the action?
– This year the action is different, because the crisis has touched the economy and the action organizers. By means of independent media and websites. It would be good if readers of independent newspapers and websites come. This is a large number of people. Tens of thousands of people read “Narodnaya Volya” in Minsk. Let them all come. If other people joined the, I think there will be many people. But we don’t know how ready people are to demonstrate their democratic views. Every person makes his own choice either sitting and complaining in the kitchen or taking to streets to demonstrate his views. Moreover, there’s no danger of repressions.
– Will those who will take national symbols have any problems?
– No, they won’t. It is guaranteed by militia. Moreover, they said they wouldn’t hinder using of loud speakers. Militia arrested this equipment previous times. It’s difficult to speak to people without special devises.