Police Detained People at Labor Day Action

03.05.2007.

On 1 May about 1,5 thousand participants of the Labor Day celebration organized by the left oppositional forces of Belarus. They gathered near a stage to which a poster with the inscription ‘1 May – day of workers’ solidarity’. The leaders of a number of parties and trade union movements of Belarus called on political prisoners to release political prisoners and refuse from contract system of employment. Individual entrepreneurs expressed their protests against presidential decree #760 which prohibits them to employ workers. Politicians spoke in turns with performances of musicians and poets.

A wide range of different flags and slogans peacefully coexisted at the action: the banners ‘Freedom to Kazulin!’, anarchist and communists flags, etc.

In Akademichaia Street (from where the action participants proceeded to Banhalor Square, the place of the authorized action) the police detained the member of the Party of Communists of Belarus Aliaksandr Dzenisenka and the resident of Brest Iauhen Mialik, but later released them. They also detained the chair of Mahiliou branch of the United Civil Party Siarhei Straltsou.

Near the Academy of Sciences, where the action participants started gathering, the police prohibited to unroll flags and banners. Later they pushed the people out of there. Many of them were forced to get on busses for prevention of the peaceful procession to Banhalor Square. According to RFE/RL, the PCB activists Siarhei Vazinak, Aliaksei Yeliseyeu and Viktar Kavalkou refused to get on a bus and were pulled into a police car and transported to Banhalor Square.