Actions of solidarity with political prisoners near St. Symon and Alena Church
Policemen in mufti observe
the rallies of solidarity near the Catholic church in Nezalezhnasts Square in Minsk every day.
Despite the police presence, dozens of concerned people come every evening to
lay flowers, light candles and unfurl portraits of the prisoners of the KGB
remand jail.
Relatives of the prisoners usually take part in the protest. They have white-red-white scarves and umbrellas. People sing religious chants. Accidental passers-by and visitors of the shopping centre Stalitsa often join the participants.
As said by Dzianis
Sadouski, an executive secretary of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party,
participation in the rallies of solidarity has become a tradition for many
people already.
“Rallies of solidarity are held every
day. Prayer services are held. About 40 persons take part in them: relatives of
the political prisoners and common citizens who show solidarity with those who
are imprisoned. A prayer group of Roman Catholics who pray for return of St.
Josef’s Church to believers has joined the rally. They also take part in the
prayer of solidarity near the Red
Church.”
The first event was staged in Minsk
on 19 January, a month after the dispersal of the protest rally on Nezalezhnasts Square.
At first the police were very nervous about the activists’ gathering, and one
of the participants even served an administrative arrest for unfurling the
portrait of Mikalai Statkevich in public.
