Opposition activists in Brest seeking permission for May Day demonstration
The Brest regional chapter of the Hramada Belarusian Social
Democratic Party (BSDP) has applied to the regional capital's
authorities for permission to stage a May Day demonstration in the city.
As Ihar Maslowski, leader of the chapter, told
BelaPAN, the organizers want no more than 200 demonstrators to march
through two central streets in Brest on May 1 to express protest against
fixed-term employment contracts, low pay levels, rising food prices and
utility bills, and authorities' attempts to make people pay for
hospital treatment.
The most recent sanctioned May Day demonstration by BSDP members took place in Brest in 2002, according to the activist.
"Officials have been denying permission for May Day demonstrations on far-fetched grounds since then," Mr. Maslowski said.
