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On Sunday the ultimatum of opposition leader Svyatlana Tsichanouskaja expired. The opposition demands Lukashenko’s resignation, that street violence ceases and that all political prisoners be released.
Lukashenko refused to budge. On Monday morning the announced general strike began. At the Grodno Azot fertilizer factory in Hrodna, the police entered and arrested ten workers who participated in the mass strike. In protest, workers from two other units of the factory refused to take their turn. The red and white Belarusian flag flew above the factory, symbolizing the demands of the people: Alexander Lukashenko must resign as president.
Large crowds in Minsk.
Photo: AFP
The Minsk Tractor Factory and two other state factories also participated in the general strike. The fact that the large state-owned factories joined the nationwide protest operation announced by the opposition is a defeat for Lukashenko.
I Minsk demonstrated students at at least three different universities. At the Belarusian National Technical University, they were forced to flee when OMON special forces from the Interior Ministry were dispatched. Hundreds of students also took part in various protests at Belarusian state universities, including sit-ins. At the same time, thousands of retirees came out to show solidarity with the students. This is not the first time that Belarusian retirees have come out to protest.
Teachers and students of the Belarusian State University during protests in the city on Monday.
Photo: AFP
Independent The Belarusian media reports that hundreds of private companies have participated in the strike, including cafes, restaurants, gyms and shops. According to the Belarusian human rights organization Vesna, more than 100 people have been arrested, most of them in Minsk. In Hrodna, the number is 32 people. Protesters have also been arrested in Brest, Borisov, Novopolotsk and Mogilev.
Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsichanouskaja was pressured to find new ways to keep the pressure on Lukashenko. The scale of the strike, as well as the gigantic demonstrations on Sunday, show that the protest mood in Belarus remains strong.
