The Belarusan community in Washington, DC denounced the official
government of Belarus for the incessant actions of hindering of the
civil society development, and advocated formation of a professional
army. A group of protesters against forced drafting of the young
political leaders in the army displayed posters NO ARMY RECRUITING ON
POLITICAL GROUNDS IN BELARUS and ILLEGAL RECRUITING IS A NEW TYPE OF
PUNISHMENT FOR DEMOCRATS.

More than fifty people gathered to protest near the United Nations
Headquarters in New York under numerous white-red-white flags.

Ales Marachkin, Zyanon Paznyak, Ales Shaternik, and Syarzhuk
Sokalau-Voyush - prominent activists of the Belarusan national revival
period - also attended the protest.

The protest initiators called attention to the numerous violations
which regularly take place during recruitment of the Belarusan sons
into the military service, and highlighted examples of outrageous
political persecution which persist despite of the officially
announced moves of the Belarusan government towards liberalization and
democracy.

Zyanon Paznyak commented on recent events in Belarus and noted that
the efforts of one person can bring significant results, and even
multiply exponentially, with the support of those around. Mr. Zyanon
mentioned the examples from history of Belarus, when the Belarusan
gentry would deliberately join Russian army officers' ranks for the
opportunity to influence policy towards its mother country, to grow a
generation of Belarusans committed to the homeland and inspired by the
united goals and vision of free and unoccupied Belarus.
 
Ales Marachkin, who hastily arrived to the United States one day prior
to the opening of his personal exhibition, shared his memories of
carrying baby-boy Franak Vyachorka on his hands. Today, twenty year
old Franak completed his military oath in Belarusan with words: Long
live Belarus!

Yuras Yurkevich, associate of the Rada BNR (Belarusan Democratic
Republic in Exile, БНР), who flew  in the U.S. from Talin, Estonia one
day earlier, reminded of the importance of appreciation, especially in
today's most challenging times for Belarus. He expressed the words of
gratitude to the courageous protesters in Belarus, and to their
supporters at the today's rally. Dzyanis Talpeka, a human rights
advocate from Salihorsk, Belarus, also thanked those present at the
rally for the support on behalf of Ivan Shyla's family and friends
from Salihorsk.
 
Mikola Saganovich reminded the protesters that Kastus Kalinousky and
Tadevush Kastsyushka, prominent Belarusan freedom advocates of
previous centuries, were also born early February, and that their
lives served examples of vigorous struggles and rewarding
achievements. Ivan, Franak, Zmitser, and thousands of young Belarusans
followed the paths of Kastsyushka and Kalinousky.

Last week-end the Belarusan Diaspora in America had an opportunity to
participate in a wide range of events and activities at the Belarusan
Museum at of St. Cyril of Turau Cathedral, Belarusan Autocephalous
Church.

The Belarusans of the U.S., expressed support to Ivan, Franak, an
Zmitser by protesting under white-red-white flags AGAINST persecution
of young political activists in mother country Belarus by calling out
slogans LONG LIVE BELARUS!   

 
www.belmov.org

www.belmovdc.org