Youth Rally `Belarus to Europe` Held in Minsk (Photo) :: Charter'97 :: News

On February 14 a march of young people “Belarus to Europe” took place in Minsk. During the march participants delivered Valentine’s cards with message of love for European values to diplomatic missions in Minsk.

The rally started at 6 p.m. on Liberty Square. The Young Front activists unfurled a streamer “Rally of Love”. Then chanting “Long Live Belarus” they came to French Embassy, Radio Racyja informs.

Near French Embassy the leader of the united democratic forces of Belarus Alyaksandr Milinkevich addressed them with a speech. He was there to support the participants of the rally.

“We are to achieve democratic changes and we shall live in a normal county and in a free Europe,” Milinkevich said.

Then Barys Haretski, a young activist, called upon release of political prisoners in Belarus. A representative of the French Embassy expressed solidarity with the values of Belarusian pro-democracy youth.

Policemen, mainly in mufti, were not interfering with the rally. However, when demonstrators headed towards German Embassy, policemen detained B. Haretski.

The young people brought flowers, a message with congratulations on St. Valentine’s Day, and a petition speaking about a necessity of Belarus’ admission to the EU. After that the demonstrators made their way towards the US Embassy.

Answering the congratulations and the statement about adherence of the youth to democratic values, a representative of the US Embassy, Deputy Chief of Mission Jonathan Moore said that he was happy to meet the Young Front activists.

The demonstrators were chanting “Long Live Belarus!”, “We believe, we can, we shall win!”, “Belarus to Europe!” while marching from one embassy to another.

Later the Young front activists Barys Haretski and four his comrades were released from the police department of the Central district of Minsk.

Thus, all young people detained during St. Valentine’s Day’s celebration are free.