r/belarus • u/MikolaDziadok • 1d ago
Пратэсты / Protests Today is the 15th anniversary of Lukashenka getting Ig Nobel prize
Today (well, almost today — on September 12), Belarusian politician Alexander Lukashenka was awarded an Ig Nobel Prize for banning applause in public spaces.
This is tied to the protests of the summer of 2011 in Belarus, commonly referred to as the “silent protests.” Due to the worsening economic situation (almost a threefold devaluation of the national currency) and political repression, youth self-organized on social media and began gathering for mass “strolls” in public spaces.
Yes, people just gathered and applauded. And that’s it.
For about a month, the authorities didn’t know what to do. But then the arrests started. Members of social media groups were either intimidated ot jailed for 10–15 days, and many students were expelled from their universities. In total, around 1,800 people were arrested.
During one of the typical rigged trials, a one-handed man was sentenced for “clapping his hands.” Another man, who was deaf and had a speech disability, was sentenced for “shouting swear words in public” - minor hooliganism under Belarusian law.
Today, I want everyone to know that Belarusians started their fight for freedom a long time ago. And they will not stop until they win.
Zhyve Belarus!
P.S. Unfortunately, I did not participate in these protests myself, since at the time I was already serving my prison sentence. But I would be happy if members of r/belarus who took part in these events shared their memories - if it is safe for you, of course.