Washington, DC (JBANC) --- Reports are coming in of the storming of the main square in Minsk by police forces (early morning, March 24 local time). Numerous supporters of democracy, perhaps in the hundreds, had been camped out there since Sunday following a presidential election that has been declared fraudulent by Western observers. The protestors were dispersed or carted off by the authorities.
For more information and photos, please see the Charter '97 website (which has had to move to an alternate location):
http://67.18.131.22/eng/news/ http://67.18.131.22/eng/news/2... The Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. (JBANC) supports the aspirations of the people of Belarus who favor freedom and democracy, and abhors the means by which the Lukashenka regime has subjected and stifled its citizens, especially the growing voices of dissent and opposition. JBANC is also supporting demonstrations in Washington, DC which have occurred each day this week since the Sunday election.
If you live in the Washington, DC area, protests will be held in front of the Belarusian Embassy at 1619 New Hampshire Avenue., N.W. (near the Du Pont Circle Metro station) on Friday, March 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and continuing Saturday, with another day-long vigil to be held in commemoration of the traditional March 25 Belarusian Independence Day.
Please come out to support the people of Belarus and their hopes for freedom and democracy.
