Fourth Night of Activists on October Square
The brave protesters in Minsk, Belarus are bedding down for an unprecedented 4th night of occupying the Kalinovsky Square (or October Square, if you’re communist).
Despite the arrest of an estimated 400 hundred protesters, some of whom are being beaten by Belarus KGB on orders from dictator Lukashenko and then given prison sentences just long enough for their wounds to heal before being released (his theory: no evidence, no crime), still the people gather in large numbers and run in order to cross the police barricades without being arrested and re-join the Tent City in the freezing weather of capitol’s downtown.
Despite traffic cops issuing fines for noise, large numbers of cars are reported to be honking in solidarity. People are placing blue ribbons on their antennae to show support. The effect is being felt.
Despite a report of pneumonia, Milinkevich is back out with the crowd (most likely after a shower and change of clothes).
Despite threats of university explusion and other harrassment, people leave the protests temporarily in order to go back home and pass the word along that the peaceful revolution is alive and well. Spreading encouragement to motivate people en masse to join on Saturday, March 25th on the nationalist anniversary commemorating Belarus’ last independence.
If they can only hold out until Saturday, they’ve got a real chance to make a change now (and not just in the future).
You can support them. How? Spend 5 minutes.
Doing what? Make sure your friends and co-workers are aware. Call your favorite talk radio. Write an email to your local newspaper. Just 5 minutes of your time will help keep the pressure on Western politicians who are eagerly awaiting you to push them, so they can take bolder and bigger steps to help the people of Belarus escape the noose of dictatorship.
You have 5 minutes, right? I knew you did. Now, stop reading and do something.
