“Mighty God” hymn and candles on Independence Square
- 19.01.2011, 21:39
About 100 persons gathered for a rally of solidarity in the centre of Minsk. However, well-known politicians and public leaders were not taking part in it.
8.35 p.m. The rally almost finished. 10-20 persons are left near the Red Roman Catholic Church, others have disbanded.
As said by the reporter of the European Radio for Belarus Vital Ruhayn, the rally lasted more than half an hour: candles were lit long before 8 p.m.
From all the well-known persons the reporters of the European Radio for Belarus noticed only Ihar Lyalkou, a representative of the Belarusian Popular Front party.
8.28 p.m. One of the participants of the rally was detained near “Minsk” hotel. People in mufti seized the man, and in a minibus took him in the direction of the Institute of Culture. As informed by the European Radio for Belarus journalist, it was Valery Syadou, a man who set up a poster with a demand to release Mikalai Statkevich. Most likely, he was arrested for his active behaviour during the protest.
8.10 p.m. about 700 persons gathered near Sts Simon and Alena Roman Catholic Church (the Red Church). They placed several dozens candles near the sculpture of Archangel Michael and started to sing a spiritual hymn “Mighty God”.
One of the participants mounted a hand-made poster “Freedom to Mikalai Statkevich!” and a portrait of the political prisoner. However, this portrait was soon seized and carried away by an unknown young man.
7.55 p.m. Several dozens of people gathered in Independence Square. People come near Sts Simon and Alena Roman Catholic Church (the Red Church) and place candles there.
We remind that the Young Front, which is not registered in Belarus, called upon all the concerned people to remember dispersal of the peaceful rally on December 19. Members of the Young Front offered to come to the House of Government a month after the events and to place a candle there.
As informed by Vital Ruhayn, a journalist of the European Radio for Belarus, participants of the rally light candles near the Red Church. Some of them leave after that, and some stay. There are no well-known politicians among the participants of the rally.
There are many law-enforcers in mufti on the square. However they do not interfere with the protesters so far.
Photo and video by Vital Ruhayn and Illya Malinouski