Seniors protesting in Minsk: ‘Grandmas and grandpas, let’s march to the victory!’

30.11.202014:07

‘I am going out’. Pensioners’ March in Minsk. 30 November 2020.

Photo: TK / belsat.eu

At 2 pm (local time), the March of Pensioners aka Wisdom March kicked off in downtown Minsk. During the post-election months, holding the event on Mondays has turned into an unofficial tradition.

Despite the fact that over 400 persons were detained during Sunday’s March of Neighbours across Belarus, the elderly people showed up at the rally and walked down some main streets of the capital city, chanting ‘Shame!’, ‘Grandmas and grandpas, let’s march to the victory!’, ‘Long live Belarus!’, etc. This time, the March of Wisdom took a different route, as their regular gathering place, Independence Square, was cordoned off by the police.

The pro-government forces were keeping a close eye on the protesters; some of them were filming the pensioners.

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To prevent the column from further marching, the troops made attempts to divide it and surround particular groups of protesters, they also blocked traffic on Valadarski Street and used some spray against several protesters. The independent journalists covering the demonstration reported targeted detentions.

According to TUT.BY, the people trapped on Valadarski Street were ordered to get in police buses; they might be taken to police departments. By 6.30 pm, there have been eleven names on the list of the detained on November 30; two of them (journalists) have been released, human rights centre Viasna reports.

Only a small part of participants reached Yakub Kolas Square which is Monday marchers’ destination point.

troops in olive uniform with no insignia. Pensioners’ March in Minsk. 30 November 2020.

Photo: TK / belsat.eu

Elderly Belarusian activist Yan Hryb (C). Pensioners’ March in Minsk. 30 November 2020.

Photo: TK / belsat.eu