Cities of Poland Demonstrate Solidarity with Belarusians

17.11.2006.

On November 16 actions of solidarity with families of disappeared Belarusian politicians and with political prisoners were held in Poland: in Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Lodz, Pultusk, Lublin and Bialystok.

“Minsk- Warsaw: Common Cause!” This was a slogan which started the Day of Solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners and the disappeared opponents of the Belarusian regime in Warsaw. The rally was organized by the “Union for Democracy Support in Belarus”. There were about 100 participants, Poles and Belarusians. The rally started in the center of Warsaw, in front of Charles de Gaulle monument. Passers-by were handed leaflets about the solidarity action and the story of Zmitser Dashkevich, sentenced to 1.5 years of imprisonment for involvement in an unregistered organization.

Then the protesters lined along Novy Swiat Street. They were holding candles, white-red-white flags and portraits of Zmitser Dashkevich. A column marched up to Palace Square. The organizers demonstrated a film by Pavel Sharamet “Wild Chase-2”. An observation tower at Palace Square served as a screen for film projection.

In Bialystok the solidarity action was held in the form of a performance. In the performance Alexander Lukashenka was arrested by his own guards, and young politician Zmitser Dashkevich was released from prison after protests of civil society.

After the performance its participants lined up in front of the Belarusian consulate holding portraits of political prisoners Pavel Seviarynets, Artur Finkevich, Mikola Statkevich, Alexander Kazulin, Tsimafei Dranchuk, Andrei Klimau and others demanding their immediate release.

In Krakow about 50 participants gathered to express support to Belarus. In the historical center participants put up a banner “Freedom to political prisoners!” and lit candles.

A rally in support of Zmitser Dashkevich was staged in Lublin as well. People were holding portraits of the political prisoner and candles near the monument of Lublin Union. Candles were lit.

In Wroclaw about 20 persons with white-red-white flags walked down the main streets of the city singing Belarusian songs.

Besides that, the day of Solidarity was held in Poznan, Lodz, Gdansk and other cities of Poland, reports Charter’97.