Few people marched till the end of Chernobyl Path

photo by EuroBelarus Information Service

Last Saturday evening traditional Chernobyl path was held in Minsk to mark the 28th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. This time, the demonstration attracted very few people.

According to different estimations, the demonstration was attended by 300-700 people.

The demonstration began at 4:00 p.m. near the Kastrychnik cinema theater amid heavy police presence. The crowd displayed Belarus’ historically national white-red-white flags, emblems of opposition organizations and signs protesting the construction of the nuclear power plant in the Hrodna region.  Among those who attended the demonstration were Uladzimir Niakliaeu, Pavel Sieviarynec, Aliaksei Yanukevich, Vital Rymasheuski, Anatol Liabedzka and other political and public figures.

In the talk with the EuroBelarus Information Service Uladzimir Niakliaeu, the leader of the “Tell the Truth!” civil campaign, noted that the building of Astravets nuclear power plant is the bright example of how the authorities neglect the public opinion. As, according to him, the Belarusan masses expressed their concern about the building of the nuclear power plant”.

After gathering near “Kastrychnik”, the crowd started walking in a procession along Independence Avenue and Surhanava Street to Peoples’ Friendship Park in Bangalore Square for a final rally. On their way to the park, some demonstrators chanted “Zhyve Belarus!” (Long Live Belarus) and “Slava Ukraini!” (Glory to Ukraine).

Only few people went through militia turnstiles; the others stopped before the railing. In an hour most people broke up. About 50 people were listening to the speakers, who were speaking from the scene, and about a dozen went to the Belarusan Autocephalous Church, where Chernobyl Path-2014 ended.

In the interview with the correspondent of the “EuroBelarus” Information Service, Belarusian Popular Front leader Aliaksei Janukevich emphasized that the organizers of the march didn’t expect the vast number of participants, taking into account “weak information campaign and the arrests of a number of activists beforehand”. However, the chair of the BPF expressed confidence that Chernobyl Path is of high importance for our country, as it one more time recalls the authorities about the danger of the nuclear energy and about the unwillingness of the citizens to risk.

However, there are few chances that the authorities will hear the new reminder. All the more that the potential participants of Chernobyl Path this time were holding an action at their dachas and villages.