Protesters in Belarus' capital took to the streets in large numbers Sunday for the fifth weekend in a row, calling for the country's authoritarian president to resign. Demonstrations also took place in 16 other cities across the country.
Despite the police crackdown, the opposition seems unwilling to back down. Police on Sunday blocked off the city center with barbed wire fences and prisoner transport vehicles, so the protesters marched a different way. They headed toward Lukashenko's residence on the city's outskirts.
Signs held by protesters on Sunday reflected similar fears among the opposition that Russia could absorb Belarus. "The source of power in Belarus is the people, not Lukashenko and the Kremlin," read signs held by protesters in Minsk, the AP reported. The slogan for Sunday's protest was"we won't let him sell the country."
While Lukashenko is expected to seek security guarantees in his meeting with Putin, he says he will not give away the country's sovereignty. Lukashenko has also accused Western powers of instigating the revolt in order to overthrow his government.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
At least 100,000 Belarus protesters flood streets to demand end of LukashenkoAt least 100,000 Belarusian protesters took to the streets of Minsk on Sunday in one of the biggest demonstrations yet against President Alexander Lukashenko after he claimed a landslide victory in an election his opponents say was rigged.
Read more »
Belarus protests enter 6th week, still demand leader resignMore than 100,000 demonstrators calling for the authoritarian president's resignation marched in the Belarusian capital as the daily protests that have gripped the nation entered their sixth week.
Read more »
Mass arrests as tens of thousands protest in BelarusBelarusians have been demonstrating against President Lukashenko's disputed re-election for a month, with more than 100,000 people flooding the streets of Minsk for four straight weekends.
Read more »
Belarus police detain dozens of protesters at anti-government rallyDemonstrations broke out in Belarus after Alexander Lukashenko claimed to have defeated opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and won re-election with 80 percent of the vote on August 9.
Read more »
Belarus opposition leader celebrates birthday in Lithuania amid protestsBelarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya celebrated her 38th birthday on Friday in exile in Vilnius, Lithuania, as Belarus geared up for a fifth weekend of mass protests since a disputed presidential election.
Read more »