Minsk city council refused to allow the opposition demonstration on Oktober square. It only allowed a march along the Avenue of Independence (the main Minsk street) to the park near the Bangalore square. This is a usual strategy the Belarusian authorities use to prevent people from gathering in the center of the city, without depriving them of the opportunity to spill out emotions.
It was a normal practice during many previous protest actions, that the organizers accepted such offers. As a result, the rallies turned into a rather senseless action – the people gathered on a square in the park, surrounded by thick trees and bushes, so that they couldn’t be seen by other people on the crowded street nearby, not taking part in the demonstration. The name “Bangalore” has already become a symbol for the cynicism of the authorities and the feebleness of the opposition leaders.
Bangalore Square (marked yellow)
Photo: Google Earth
This time, the opposition leaders found courage to reject the proposal of the authorities. On March, 25 people will be gathering on October Square, in the very center of Minsk. “I encourage everyone, despite of the fact that we are prohibited from gathering there, to come to October Square, which will be some time named Kalinouski Square, to come to this celebration, and not be afraid”, said Aliaksandr Milinkevich. “We are coming without fear, with a feeling of self-respect”.
