Young Democrats held an action of support to Ales Bialiatski
Several activists of the organization Young Democrats pasted in the underpass under Yakub Kolas Square portraits
of the arrested human rights activist, leaflets with information about his
prosecution and the slogan Freedom to
Ales Bialiatski. They also set a box to collect funds to support him.
The event lasted about 20 minutes and attracted the
interest and sympathy of passersby. Dozens of people donated money. According
to Aleh Korban, the main aim of the event was not to raise funds, but to inform
the public about political repression and express solidarity with the arrested
human rights activist.
“Activists of our organization, Young Democrats, decided to hold a solidarity action with the
prisoner, Aliaksandr Bialatski. We decided to glue the posters and
portraits of one of the biggest underpasses in Minsk, on Yakub Kolas Square. We also put the appropriate
box and gathered some money to compensate the sum Mr. Bialiatski allegedly owes
to Lukashenka's regime. There are people who treat such initiative quite well.
Though these donations are symbolic, but it is a
certain step.
According to Aleh Korban, about 40,000 rubles was gathered
for 15-20 minutes. "We didn’t expect such support by common people”, said
Korban. “Therefore, such actions will continue.”