Left-wing parties apply to Minsk city government for permission to stage Labor Day march on May 1 :: Charter'97 :: News

Left-wing political parties on April 4 filed an application with the Minsk City Executive Committee for permission to stage a festive march on May 1 on the occasion of Labor Day, Belarus` state holiday.

The Belarusian Social Democratic Party "Hramada," the Belarusian Women`s Party "Nadzeya," and the Belarusian Party of Communists want the march to start at noon from the square in front of the National Academy of Sciences and run along Surhanava Street to Peoples` Friendship Park near Bangalore Square, where a rally would be held.

The Minsk City Executive Committee is expected to reply at least five days before the event. The organizers hope that the city government will permit the march. "The chosen route indicates a peaceful scenario, that`s why we hope that the authorities will not put obstacles," Alyaksandr Bukhvostaw, an organizer, told BelaPAN. "We expect people to arrive from provinces to participate in the demonstration."

According to Mr. Bukhvostaw, the organizing committee for the Labor Day march welcomes the decision of the Political Council of United Pro-democratic Forces to join in the celebration of Labor Day.