More than 70 cities of Europe, US and Canada demanded freedom for Belarusians (Photo)

Over 70 cities across Europe, the US and Canada protested against Lukashenka’s unjust Belarus dictatorship on the night of 18th March. They used banners saying "Europe, Give the People of Belarus a Voice!", the Brussels office of the organizer of the protest, the youth organization JEF (Jeunesse Europeene Federaliste) told to the Charter’97 press-center.

The actions was held as a sign of solidarity with Belarusians fighting for freedom and was dedicated to the anniversary of the presidential election held in Belarus.

Activists gagged statues - symbolically preventing them from speaking freely - much like the current situation for many Belarusian citizens and leaders of democracy and oppositions movements. The protest took place in Austria: Graz; Belgium: Leuven, Ghent, Bruges, Brussels; Croatia: Zagreb; Czech Republic: Prague; Denmark: Arhus, Copenhagen, Odense; France: Grenoble, Paris, Nancy, Rennes, Strasbourg, Nîmes, Bordeaux, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon; Finland: Helsinki; Germany: Augsburg, Berlin, Jena, Freiburg; Greece: Athens; Hungary: Budapest; Ireland: Dublin, Claire Island ; India: Hyderabad ; Italy: Milan, Pescara; Kosovo: Pristina; Latvia: Riga; Lithuania: Vilnius, Kaunas; Macedonia: Bitola; Montenegro: Podgorica; Norway: Kongsvinger, Kristiansand, Kristiansund, Oslo, Stavanger, Tromsø, Trondheim, Tønsberg, Drammen, Egersund, Grimstad; Poland: Marcinków, Kielce, Warsaw, Katowice, Krakow; Portugal: Lisbon, Porto; Spain: Madrid; Scotland: Edinburgh; Slovakia: Bratislava; Slovenia: Ljubljana; Sweden: Stockholm; Switzerland: Geneva; Turkey: Istanbul; UK: Bath, Cambridge, Cardiff, Hull, Leeds, London, Sheffield, York; Ukraine: Kyiv, Lviv.

"Young people in Europe passionately believe in democracy, liberty and respect for human rights. Many take these rights for granted, but we cannot forget that in the EU's back garden, a dictatorship is still standing. We must react in defence of those who are denied these basic rights" said Toni Giugliano, Action co-ordinator and Vice President JEF Europe.

"A European Union with one single and decisive voice could really bring freedom to the people of Belarus" stated Samuele Pii, President JEF Europe . With the sign 'Europe, Give the People of Belarus a Voice', JEF demands that the European Union and the international community take action to address crimes and violations of human rights, freedom of speech and elections procedures in Belarus. "Citizens of Belarus! JEF Europe is close to you...times will change!" concluded Samuele Pii.