Only 2 out of 800 appeals for pickets are satisfied by authorities

Only two pickets out of 800 have been allowed by local authorities so far – in Mahileu and in Orsha. Let us remind you that “a wave” of social pickets against the benefits cancellation is planned to take place in Belarus on December 16. Pickets are organized by activists and adherents of opposition parties and organizations.

Minsk officials rejected all the 140 appeals. They have not allowed a picket even at Banhalor Square explaining it by the fact that opposition members… will be in pedestrians’ and cars’ way.

There were original explanations for refusals. One of the leaders of the Belarusian Communist Party Valery Uhnalyou informed ERB about them:

“In one case they did not allow it to us because “the weather would be bad”. The reply was received in Minsk District. There is a reply that Lyubimau Avenue is out of Minsk and Minsk City Executive Committee is not up to allow pickets there…”.

Nevertheless, according to Uhnalyou, social actions will take place all over Belarus. A hundred of pickets where leaflets and newspapers will be given out are going to take place in Minsk on December 16.

However, opposition leaders will be out of Minsk on this day. Valery Uhnalyou says where they will go to:

“Leaders of the United Democratic Forces will visit regions. The decision was taken at a meeting of the presidium of the Political Council yesterday. They will go to Mahilyou, Babruisk, Vitsebsk, Orsha and Homel”.