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The opposition has called on the Belarusians for a general strike. Many seem to unite: employees of large state-owned companies refuse to work, stores are closed, students demonstrate.
By Karla Engelhard, ARD Studio Moscow, currently. Sedan
General strike in Belarus: At the largest Belarusian refrigerator manufacturer Atlant in Minsk, workers march through the corridors and loudly demand the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko. A worker for the state oil company Belarusneft and his colleagues posted their message online: “We are against the violence and anarchy currently prevailing in the country. We are joining the general strike.”
You risk a lot because anyone who goes on strike at state-owned companies in Belarus may lose their job. The management has already pressured his relatives in advance and threatened to warn them. Several state-owned companies report, as in Soviet times: there are no special incidents, everything goes normally.
The opposition movement under Svetlana Tichanowskaya has called a general strike. Calls for the resignation of the president, the release of all political prisoners and an end to the violence.
Protesters put themselves in danger
Even students from various state universities in the country do not attend lectures today, but out loud in the street. This is not without risks, as a student from the Minsk Linguistic University tells Radio Swaboda Belrus: “We just walked down the street. As we were about to cross it, a troop transport got in our way. We started running, then we arrived three more vehicles later. ” They were kicked, people fell to the ground and many fled. “I think five people have been arrested. It’s a shock. We have to stick together now, we have to meet again.”
“We will close until Belarus is liberated”
Videos circulate on social media showing hooded security forces hunting young and old alike. Observers assume that increasing violence by security forces could fuel the protests.
Many private companies in Belarus are also participating in the general strike. Hidden or open: shops are closed – for renovations or family celebrations or with the message “We will close until Belarus is liberated.” The result of the general strike at the national level is still completely open.
