[ad_1]
As many gathered in support of opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tichanovskaya, she came forward in name only, for fear of drawing unnecessary attention from the authorities.
“It just caught our eye then. Take to the streets and speak freely and don’t be afraid anymore,” a 42-year-old bakery employee told AFP.
Several thousand people filled a small stadium in Maladecina on Friday, about 100,000. in a populated city northwest of Minsk, to listen to S. Tikhanyovskaya, who has become the main opponent of President Alexander Lukashenko.
The crowd, where there were many young people born after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and without remembering before Lukashenko came to power, waved flags and shouted “change” when Tichanovskaya, 37, took the stage.
“Now is the time for everyone to overcome their fears,” he said.
“Do you think I’m not afraid? I get scared every day. But I travel, I have the courage, I overcome my fears and I come to victory,” said Tichanovskaya.
Tichanovskaya, the mother who cared for children at home, said she was seeking the presidency after her husband, popular blogger Sergei Tichanovsky, was arrested and prohibited from challenging Lukashenko in the August 9 elections.
Her two-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son were sent abroad for security reasons.
Another popular opposition figure, Viktor Babaryka, a former banker seeking to stand for the presidential election, was arrested and the former diplomat Valery Cepkala left Belarus for fear of being arrested.
Their fears are justified. At least 1,100 people have been detained during pre-election protests since May, according to the human rights organization Viasna.
Despite this offensive, Tikhanovskaya was allowed to participate in the elections, and his quest to expel Lukashenko, 65, mobilized his opponents.
“Symbol”
Large crowds gather at the demonstrations of S. Tichanovskaya in various parts of the country, and Marija Kolesnikova, the leader of V. Babaryka’s campaign, and Veronika Cepkalo, the wife of V. Cepkala, who went into voluntary exile, the accompany on these trips.
At demonstrations, women often wear T-shirts with the symbols of the opposition election campaign: V. Cepkal’s victory sign, S. Tichanovskaya’s clenched fist and M. Kolesnikova’s heart.
“It is important that this happens not only in the capital, but also in small towns and villages,” said Belarusian political analyst Alesia Rudnik.
He added that the three women are gathering Belarusians who would not normally participate in anti-government protests.
The day after the Maladecina rally, a large crowd gathered to support S. Tikhanyovskaya in Grodno, in north-western Belarus.
About 10 thousand. The population gathered for a demonstration in Gomel, southeast of Minsk, S. Tikhanyovsky’s hometown.
The outdoor event lasted until late at night; the groups played and the public shone with their flashlights.
The largest rally in support of Tikhanovskaya, which reportedly rallied 63,000. It took place on July 30 on July 30 in the Friendship Park of Nations in Minsk, despite fears of a crackdown, as officials arrested 33 Russian “fighters” earlier that day on charges of plan massive riots with the opposition.
“Tichanovskaya is a symbol of the moment: a voice of protest against Lukashenko. He attracted everyone who does not love Lukashenko,” said political scientist Valerijus Karbalevičius.
“People are not afraid”
According to observers, Tichanovskaya took advantage of widespread dissatisfaction with Lukashenko, who was allegedly named “Sasha 3 percent” due to low popularity ratings.
Lukashenko, the former president of the collective farm, has been criticized for managing the economy, deteriorating relations with Russia and controlling the coronavirus outbreak.
Although health officials have recorded tens of thousands of cases of coronavirus infection with COVID-19, Lukashenko has downplayed the threat of a pandemic by calling it “psychosis” and refused to impose quarantine.
Residents of the country have been forced to take anti-virus measures, including wearing protective masks and working from home.
But the real challenge for critics will come if, as predicted, Lukashenko wins the vote by falsifying the results, Rudnik said.
Belarusian authorities have already demonstrated their ability to stop mass protesters, and as the vote draws closer, Lukashenko has seen the police participate in riot relief exercises.
“People are not afraid now,” said Rudnik, noting that the government was issuing permits to the opposition to hold their protests.
“But an important step awaits after the vote: Will people take to the streets when the results are announced?” Said the political analyst.
[ad_2]
