People at BelAZ have gathered to support those who were fired for going on strike.
Aleksandr Lukashenko has made the statement on protesters as he met with personnel of the Internal Affairs Ministry.
Lukashenko said: “We've had enough. I outlined red lines nobody is allowed to cross from the very start. They crossed the lines in many places, I've mentioned it. This is why those who disrupt railway signal systems today, those who put up fascist flags on overhead power lines, in other words, those who are trying to destroy and destabilize the infrastructure of the state, must be aware of this: as of today we are going to take no prisoners particularly in people's apartments where they hide. If someone touches a military man (I've already reprimanded the generals), he should leave the place without hands at least. I say it publicly to make everyone understand our further resolve. This is it. We have nowhere to retreat and we are not going to retreat. We are ready and we will act.”
Lukashenko said: “We've had enough. I outlined red lines nobody is allowed to cross from the very start. They crossed the lines in many places, I've mentioned it. This is why those who disrupt railway signal systems today, those who put up fascist flags on overhead power lines, in other words, those who are trying to destroy and destabilize the infrastructure of the state, must be aware of this: as of today we are going to take no prisoners particularly in people's apartments where they hide. If someone touches a military man (I've already reprimanded the generals), he should leave the place without hands at least. I say it publicly to make everyone understand our further resolve. This is it. We have nowhere to retreat and we are not going to retreat. We are ready and we will act.”
Solidarity actions in support of protesting students took place in front of several universities in Minsk
STUDENTS EXPELLED FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE NATIONAL STRIKE WILL RECEIVE SUPPORT
A coalition composed of the #BYSOL solidarity fund, #By_help initiative, and the Centre of Belarusian Solidarity decided to extend their support to expelled students.
Support includes:
- one-time payment of 200 €;
- opportunity to continue education in one of European universities or colleges (primarily distance learning);
- information and solidarity.
Every student expelled for expressing their opinion or participating in the strike can apply for support.
A coalition composed of the #BYSOL solidarity fund, #By_help initiative, and the Centre of Belarusian Solidarity decided to extend their support to expelled students.
Support includes:
- one-time payment of 200 €;
- opportunity to continue education in one of European universities or colleges (primarily distance learning);
- information and solidarity.
Every student expelled for expressing their opinion or participating in the strike can apply for support.
Zhodina court punished 75-year-old Iraida Misko with a fine of about 200 USD for a photo with white-red-white marshmallow. The court was presented with photos and videos depicting Iraida Misko. Iraida Vasilievna is holding a white-red-white marshmallow in her hand in one of the photographs. “Yes, this is how she expresses her protest. Marshmallow,” police captain Yevgeny Semashko told the court.
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Nora, a retired teacher and an active trade unionist from Dublin: “My support to the right of teachers and workers of Belarus to protest and not to be harassed or even jailed”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will participate in the World Congress of Belarusians and invites everyone to join online.
“Good afternoon, Belarusians from all over the world! The day of our victory is not far off. And each of us is making incredible efforts to bring the victory of justice closer to our beloved Motherland. The World Congress of Belarusians will take place on October 31st. This is a significant event that will unite not only the Belarusian diasporas around the world but all Belarusians. Together we will look for solutions and work real ways out of the crisis. Anyone from anywhere in the world can become a participant in the World Belarus Congress. You can find out more on the official congress website. Only united we will be able to overcome the crisis in our country in the shortest possible time”.
“Good afternoon, Belarusians from all over the world! The day of our victory is not far off. And each of us is making incredible efforts to bring the victory of justice closer to our beloved Motherland. The World Congress of Belarusians will take place on October 31st. This is a significant event that will unite not only the Belarusian diasporas around the world but all Belarusians. Together we will look for solutions and work real ways out of the crisis. Anyone from anywhere in the world can become a participant in the World Belarus Congress. You can find out more on the official congress website. Only united we will be able to overcome the crisis in our country in the shortest possible time”.
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Belarusian opera star Ilya Silchukou has performed “Mahutny Bozha”. The official music video includes footage taken during the protests.
“Mahutny Bozha” (originally named “Prayer”) is a poem written by Nataliya Arsenyeva in 1943. In 1947 Nikolai Ravensky wrote music for it, creating a religious anthem for the Belarusian emigrants. It is the song of Belarusian freedom also.
“God almighty, the Lord of worlds, of great suns and small hearts,
Scatter your blessings,
Over peaceful and bright Belarus.
Bless us in our daily dreary work,
our daily bread, our native land, with respect.
In the power and the greatness of our faith, in our truth and future, give us hope!
Let our rye fields be fertile and our deeds abundant.
Make powerful, make happy our country and our people.”
“Mahutny Bozha” is one of the most popular songs sung by protesters during the rallies. On October 14, Archbishop Veniamin, head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, forbade the song “Mahutny Bozha” (“God Almighty”) in the churches.
“Mahutny Bozha” (originally named “Prayer”) is a poem written by Nataliya Arsenyeva in 1943. In 1947 Nikolai Ravensky wrote music for it, creating a religious anthem for the Belarusian emigrants. It is the song of Belarusian freedom also.
“God almighty, the Lord of worlds, of great suns and small hearts,
Scatter your blessings,
Over peaceful and bright Belarus.
Bless us in our daily dreary work,
our daily bread, our native land, with respect.
In the power and the greatness of our faith, in our truth and future, give us hope!
Let our rye fields be fertile and our deeds abundant.
Make powerful, make happy our country and our people.”
“Mahutny Bozha” is one of the most popular songs sung by protesters during the rallies. On October 14, Archbishop Veniamin, head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, forbade the song “Mahutny Bozha” (“God Almighty”) in the churches.
“I DECIDED I WOULD NOT RESIGN VOLUNTARILY”: THE COUNTRY’S BEST ITALIAN PROFESSOR FIRED FROM MSLU
Zmitser Pankavets (Nasha Niva), October 29, 2020
Natallia Dulina is one of those Minsk State Linguistics University (MSLU) professors who supported the strike at the university on 26 October. Three days later she received a call from human resources department with a request to resign voluntarily.
Natallia Dulina has been working at MSLU since 1991. She is one of the best Italian language professors in Belarus. She is greatly respected by students and faculty. In fact, Dulina has become the informal leader of the strike.
“When I got the call, I was already off the campus, so I decided not to return. Now I need to consult experts on what to do, whether there are grounds to fire me, and how to act in this situation,” Ms. Dulina said.
Later three more MSLU professors received a similar call. Natallia Dulina said that her five-year contract expires around March. “When we were protesting in September, the former rector Natallia Baranava issued an order banning rallies on campus.
However, we kept gathering in front of the main building, we sang songs, held flags, and posters. I was reprimanded for that, and a dozen professors received warnings. To the best of my knowledge, they can fire you after two reprimands, but I only have one. Although I don’t rule out that any documents could be urgently faked now,” Dulina said.
Despite students’ attempt to initiate dialogue, there have been no negotiations with the new rector Natallia Laptsiava so far. Interestingly, the repressions currently affect professors only, whereas MSLU students have not yet been expelled.
“Several students are serving their sentences in Akrestsina and Baranavichy. We are afraid that their absence will be treated as having no valid excuse. The mother of one of my students went to see the rector to prevent her son’s expulsion. “If I say so, he will be expelled,” was the message from the rector,” Dulina said.
Several dozen professors supported the strike at MSLU. Many have chosen the work-to-rule strike rather than the classic variant: lectures take place, but they discuss topics unrelated to the official syllabus. In September, when MSLU students were detained at the university, 140 professors immediately signed a petition condemning such a situation as unacceptable.
“I decided that I would not resign voluntarily,” Dulina said. She likes her job and does not want to leave it.
“Of course, I don’t regret my choices. What is happening now is outrageous. The logic of their decision is clear, and I have been expecting something of the kind.”
* * *
P.S. On October 30, Natallia Dulina was detained. She is at Akrestsina jail now.
Zmitser Pankavets (Nasha Niva), October 29, 2020
Natallia Dulina is one of those Minsk State Linguistics University (MSLU) professors who supported the strike at the university on 26 October. Three days later she received a call from human resources department with a request to resign voluntarily.
Natallia Dulina has been working at MSLU since 1991. She is one of the best Italian language professors in Belarus. She is greatly respected by students and faculty. In fact, Dulina has become the informal leader of the strike.
“When I got the call, I was already off the campus, so I decided not to return. Now I need to consult experts on what to do, whether there are grounds to fire me, and how to act in this situation,” Ms. Dulina said.
Later three more MSLU professors received a similar call. Natallia Dulina said that her five-year contract expires around March. “When we were protesting in September, the former rector Natallia Baranava issued an order banning rallies on campus.
However, we kept gathering in front of the main building, we sang songs, held flags, and posters. I was reprimanded for that, and a dozen professors received warnings. To the best of my knowledge, they can fire you after two reprimands, but I only have one. Although I don’t rule out that any documents could be urgently faked now,” Dulina said.
Despite students’ attempt to initiate dialogue, there have been no negotiations with the new rector Natallia Laptsiava so far. Interestingly, the repressions currently affect professors only, whereas MSLU students have not yet been expelled.
“Several students are serving their sentences in Akrestsina and Baranavichy. We are afraid that their absence will be treated as having no valid excuse. The mother of one of my students went to see the rector to prevent her son’s expulsion. “If I say so, he will be expelled,” was the message from the rector,” Dulina said.
Several dozen professors supported the strike at MSLU. Many have chosen the work-to-rule strike rather than the classic variant: lectures take place, but they discuss topics unrelated to the official syllabus. In September, when MSLU students were detained at the university, 140 professors immediately signed a petition condemning such a situation as unacceptable.
“I decided that I would not resign voluntarily,” Dulina said. She likes her job and does not want to leave it.
“Of course, I don’t regret my choices. What is happening now is outrageous. The logic of their decision is clear, and I have been expecting something of the kind.”
* * *
P.S. On October 30, Natallia Dulina was detained. She is at Akrestsina jail now.