Sunday, October 30, 2022

Belarus citizens(in Times Sq)say Stop Putin's Russian Invasion NOW

 Seems like every week a protest in support of Ukraine fills Duffy Square. So many I haven't kept up. This one, however, caught my eye because it was Belarus vs Putin. But, I was confused, cause wasn't Belarus siding with Putin? So WHO exactly was protesting on Sept 24, 2022 in Duffy Sq - NYC.


 

Belarussians Protest in Times Square, Putin's Invasions.

But, I needed some info on "the Republic of Belarus :

"... a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. (...)[Wiki]

..." The European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States have all imposed sanctions against Belarus because of their rigged 2020 election and political oppression during the ongoing protests in the country. Further sanctions were imposed in 2022 following the country's role in the invasion of Ukraine." [Wiki]

What I didn't see were signs addressing their fears of war to include Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko. Why only to his mentor and comrade, Vladimir Putin? The Belarusian Enlightenment League of America (BELA) wants a no aggression pact, but the whole Russia,  Ukraine, Belarus terrain is riddled  with complications. But, clearly these protetors did not want WAR with Russia OR Ukraine.

Flickr Slide Show

 Belarus says Stop Russian Invasion NOW

.video in Duffy sq  belarus

UPDATE (3 weeks later) re the Lukashenko, Putin drama:

With Putin under pressure, Belarus edges closer to joining war in Ukraine [Reuters]

LONDON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - "A flurry of military activity in Belarus this week has caught the attention of Ukraine and the West as a potential sign that President Alexander Lukashenko may commit his army in support of Russia's flailing war effort in Ukraine.

Lukashenko has ordered troops to deploy with Russian forces near the Ukraine border, and his defence ministry says "combat readiness" drills are under way. On Tuesday, the interior ministry held exercises to eliminate "sabotage groups" near Yelsk, only 20 km (12 miles) from the border with Ukraine.

France warned Belarus it could face more Western sanctions if it deepened its involvement in Ukraine.

Belarus allowed itself to be used as a launchpad for Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine but has not joined the fighting directly. "

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, global powers have picked sides and they have been pushing to isolate Russia. One nation that has stood unconditionally with Russia is its trusted ally Belarus. Russian President Vladimir Putin has constantly had Belarusian president Lukashenko's support even before the start of the Russian offensive. [WION you tube]

Oct 15, 2022 - Belarus Wavers as Putin Presses It to Join Ukraine War

"The country’s strongman, Aleksandr Lukashenko, finds himself in a bind. He survives with support from Russia, but entering the fight could be “political suicide.” [NY Times] "...two years ago after a fraud-tainted election, the Eastern European nation’s strongman leader, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko, was propped up by the Kremlin, which sent security officers and money to support him. Today, eight months after Russia invaded Ukraine, Mr. Lukashenko’s Russian-enabled grip on power risks slipping as Moscow pressures him to get more involved in the faltering military campaign next door in Ukraine."

Sadly, these protests do not seem to affect an end to war. Not with Putin in charge. Or, perhaps I just don't have enough info.

[Where indicated, pictures and videos property of Pamela Hall-VSB]

belarus, ukraine, russia, times sq protest, putin,pamelahall photographer, stop war

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