The ‘World Wonder’ March

• 16.08.2024, 15:15

On August 16, 2020, the largest demonstration in the history of Belarus took place in Minsk.

The brutality of the security officers (bordering on sadism and torture) towards protesters against the falsification of the results of the presidential elections on August 9, 2020, caused a storm of indignation in Belarusian society, writes Solidarity.

In response to the lawlessness of the security forces, hundreds of thousands of people came out to the Freedom March in Minsk on August 16. Columns of thousands flocked from the outskirts to the Heroes Obelisk. The authorities and security forces, stunned by the reaction of society, did not even try to hinder the demonstrators — riot policemen were removed from the streets.

A festive mood reigned at the march, it was difficult not to succumb to euphoria. Belarusians chanted: “Go away, you're fired!”

Analysts tried to keep their heads cool: the largest demonstration in the history of Belarus did not lead to any practical results. The country's drama was expressed in Lukashenka's words at the MZKT plant the next day: “There will be no other elections unless you kill me.”