Belarus SF

Belarusians in San Francisco Bay Area
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[Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya @Tsihanouskaya]

These numbers speak for themselves:

▪️ 65,000 Belarusians have been imprisoned or detained since 2020
▪️ 1,376 political prisoners remain behind bars, including 177 women and 34 journalists
▪️ 224 are in critical condition
▪️ At least 6, including my husband, are held incommunicado
▪️ 27 activists have died or were killed, 6 in prison
▪️ 2,100 who served their terms need rehabilitation
▪️ 5,000 media outlets have been labeled extremist
▪️ 1,777 NGOs were liquidated
▪️ 455 people declared terrorists
▪️ At least 500,000 fled abroad

The #Belarus regime's repression must end. We won't stop fighting for justice and freedom.

#StandWithBelarus

[Franak Viačorka @franakviacorka]

In her address at the @UN_HRC session today, @Tsihanouskaya urged the UN and global leaders to prioritize the release of all political prisoners in Belarus.

"This is not just a political issue – it’s a matter of life and death".

[ABA @ABAtogether]

🌍🚀 Ready to journey to Mars in Belarusian? The ABA, in collaboration with Gutenberg Publisher and https://t.co/GZddAeYtV1, proudly presents the Belarusian translation of The Martian by Andy Weir @andyweirauthor Available now in paper, e-book, and audiobook formats 👇🏻

[Belarus SF @BelarusSf]

Urgent support is needed! Please urge your Senators & Representatives to help free Ales Bialiatski, 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate & over 1,400 political prisoners in #Belarus. Ales turns 62 behind bars on Sep 25 #FreeAles
Text "SIGN PCUAUS" to 50409
@viasna96
@ABAtogether

[ABA @ABAtogether]

🛑 Support Ales Bialiatski & Political Prisoners in Belarus!
Help secure the release of Ales Bialiatski, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and over 1,400 political prisoners. Ales will spend his 62nd birthday in prison on Sept 25.

Text "SIGN PCUAUS" to 50409 or use @resistbot

[Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya @Tsihanouskaya]

PLEASE SHARE! On the anniversary of the elections of August 9, 2020, we are calling on Belarusians & the entire world community to join the International Day of Solidarity with #Belarus & to show your support. 🤍❤️🤍

August 9, 2020 is one of the most important days in the modern history of our country. It was on this day that Belarusians made their choice & said a loud "no" to Lukashenka, dictatorship, violence & lies.

We chose freedom, democracy, the rule of law & peace. We chose the European future over Russian domination. It was this day that united hundreds of thousands of Belarusians & it is this election that continues to unite us all to this day.

August 9 is an occasion to remember what we are fighting for, who we are, what country we want to live in & what we want to be. It is a day of unity, solidarity & struggle for freedom.

The rigged elections of 2020 sparked an unprecedented wave of protest in Belarus that swept our country & led to a non-violent national uprising. These peaceful protests revealed the courage & dignity of ordinary Belarusians in the face of a brutal dictatorship.

The regime, aided by Russia, responded with violence, detentions & torture. Today, there are more than 1,500 political prisoners - some have been in prison since 2020 under the most inhuman conditions - the regime has liquidated our civil society & free media.

Almost every Belarusian family was affected by the wave of repression. Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians went into exile. The regime still detains dozens of Belarusians every day. They are trying to break the bonds of solidarity, spread fear & deprive us of hope.

The regime blocks correspondence with political prisoners & denies lawyers access. There has been no news from Viktar Babaryka, Maryia Kalesnikava, Mikola Statkevich, Maksim Znak, Paval Sieviaryniets, Ihar Losik, Olga Maiorava & many others for a long time.

Belarusians continue to die because of the regime, in the streets & in prisons. Here are some of the names we will never forget: Aliaksandar Taraikouski, Aliaksandar Vihor, Kanstantsin Shyshmakou, Hienadz Shutau, Mikita Kryutsou, Aliaksandar Budnitski, Stanislau Chur., Dzianis Kuzniatsou, Raman Bandarenka, Siarhei Shchatsinka, Alena Amelina, Vitold Ashurak, Dzmitry Stakhouski, Pavel Sibileu, Andrei Zeltsar, Dzmitry Uskhopau, Dzmitry Dudoits, Mikalai Klimovich, Ales Pushkin.

In spite of the ongoing brutality, terror & repression, the struggle for freedom never stopped.

As the regime became a threat to regional security by hijacking an international flight, instigating a migrant crisis & becoming a co-aggressor in the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Belarusians continue to resist the dictatorship. The danger only intensified with the deployment of nuclear weapons & Wagner mercenaries on our territory.

Please remember: Belarus is NOT Russia. Lukashenka is NOT the president. The regime is NOT the people.

Here are our key messages for the international community - please help to share them:

◾️We must increase the economic & political pressure on the Lukashenka regime & Russia.

◾️Lukashenka should face justice along with Putin & all their henchmen.

◾️We need increased support for Belarusian civil society, media & democratic forces in exile.

◾️We need a European perspective for Belarus. It belongs to the European family of nations.

We have another ask: Make every day a Day of Solidarity with Belarus. Make sure that the people of Belarus are not forgotten. Please take action on August 9 & continue your action until our country is free.

On the anniversary of the falsified election, August 9, we are counting on the world to send a clear signal of solidarity with the brave Belarusian people who are fighting for freedom.

Here's how you can join the Day of Solidarity:

❤️Organize public, virtual, or offline events about Belarus, discussing possible solutions & what the international community can do. Organize the appearance of visual symbols of support for Belarus #StandWithBelarus in your cities. It can be graffiti, banners, posters, hashtags on public transport info-boards, or placing flags on administrative buildings.

❤️Politicians & other public figures can support us by making statements & resolutions about Belarus & helping to raise awareness. Parliamentarians can become godparents of political prisoners: https://t.co/Jd2EDiNFCa

❤️Hold discussions about the importance of officially renaming our country's name in your language (Weissrussland, Baltarusija, Hviterussland) to “Belarus”.

❤️Belarusians abroad can hold solidarity pickets on this day.

❤️Launch media, offline & online campaigns: informing about the situation in Belarus, declaring that Belarusians are not equal to Lukashenka's regime & supporting Belarus' sovereignty & independence. You can also help by sharing news about Belarus on social media using the hashtag #StandWithBelarus.

❤️Support @belwarriors & other Belarusian military volunteers fighting in Ukraine.

❤️Donate to foundations that raise funds & humanitarian aid & purchase medicines, protective gear & vehicles for Ukraine's speedy victory. These are foundations & initiatives: @bysolfund, @bymedsol , Free Belarus Center, Belarusian Youth Hub, Center for Belarusian Solidarity, @BelaruskiDom, Partyzanka & FreeShop Partyzanka, @stranafund.

❤️Solidarity with political prisoners & their families: Write letters to political prisoners in Belarus. Visit the website of the Human Rights Center @FreeViasna to learn more about political prisoners, or send a letter through the initiative letter.bel, donate to political prisoners & get a postcard, shopper, T-shirt or mug from the @v_pashtouki initiative. Use https://t.co/q8NkADSze6 to send a message.

❤️Support Belarusians by donating to the funds to help political prisoners & their families – @stranafund, @bysolfund, #BY_help.

❤️Emergency assistance to journalists: legal & financial support, assistance in moving & staying abroad; support through @MediaSOL_BY, @RSF_inter, @IMSforfreemedia.

[ABA @ABAtogether]

Statement on Tragic Death of Political Prisoner Ales Pushkin

[ABA @ABAtogether]

Belarusians in US joined global solidarity event on May 21st in support of political prisoners in Belarus. @ABAtogether members joined and organized events in 9 US cities
We wrote letters rallied and even ran 200mile relay to demonstrate solidarity
#FreeThemAll #StandWithBelarus

[Наша Ніва @nashaniva]

«Мы вартыя свабоды»

Надзея Нортан яшчэ ў 2001-м спрычынілася да прэзідэнцкай кампаніі Уладзіміра Ганчарыка. За гэты час ёй давялося шмат перажыць і ў выніку асталявацца ў ЗША, але ўсё гэта не прымусіла жанчыну змяніць свае прынцыпы.

https://t.co/9qxrt6Bp5B

[ABA @ABAtogether]

Join @abatogether on May 21st, the Day of Political Prisoners in Belarus designated by Human Rights center @viasna96 in memory of the political prisoner Vitold Ashurak who died in the Shklou prison 2 years ago
Schedule https://t.co/QjvQ0ugI2y
Links to confirmed events⬇️

[ABA @ABAtogether]

The most important holiday for Belarusians is Belarus Freedom day 🤍❤️🤍
Watch a video of how Belarusians have celebrated Freedom day with support of ABA in different US cities on March 25th 2023
#StandWithBelarus
https://t.co/JkmWLurWAk

[Belarus Freedom Forum @belarusfforum]

February 24 marked 365th Day of Ukrainian heroism, resolve, courage, unity, hard work & fierce fight against the aggressor, as well as pain, suffering, hardship & losses. The suffering of the Ukrainian people must end. (1/4) 🧵

Full Statement:
https://t.co/vqo6DCXJwm

[ABA @ABAtogether]

One pager summary of developments in Belarus and actions of Belarusians in US in December 2022 is ready.
At ABA we call it Bbrief.
You can subscribe to receive it monthly
https://t.co/1Glr9sBU3X

[Belarus SF @BelarusSf]

Belarusian American Organizations Joined NDAA Conferees Letter https://t.co/nY9B1l6i88 via @ABAtogether

[Belarus SF @BelarusSf]

For Your Freedom and Ours! 💙💛 Belarus Freedom Day 2022 in San Francisco.🤍❤️🤍
Belarusians and Ukrainians gathered to show support to #Ukraine, and commemorate the Belarusian Democratic Republic’s declaration of independence оn March 1918.
#BelarusWithUkraine
#StandWithUkraine

[Belarus Free Theatre @BFreeTheatre]

Please join us for the live-stream of our latest production Dogs of Europe. A dystopian novel about Russia’s New Reich. Live streamed in Belarusian with no subtitles, we really hope you will be able to join us for the piece of most contemporary theatre.

[Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya @Tsihanouskaya]

We hear that Belarusians can't apply for 🇪🇪 touristic visas & e-residency now, 🇪🇪 universities consider non-admission of our students. We're sending requests with @belarusestonia to the Estonian government calling to cancel restrictions. Let's separate the regime & Belarusians.

[Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya @Tsihanouskaya]

Courageous Belarusian women took a walk around Minsk protesting against the war in Ukraine – despite the risk of arrest.

The gesture of solidarity is a reminder to divide Lukashenka's regime & the Belarus people. We resist the dictator. We don't this war. We #StandWithUkraine.

[Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya @Tsihanouskaya]

We #StandWithUkraine

Belarusians resist the Russian invasion of 🇺🇦 Ukraine. They form military units & fight alongside Ukrainians. In Belarus, they hack, disrupt the movement of 🇷🇺 troops, protest on the streets despite mass arrests. Diasporas join solidarity rallies worldwide.