CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Several dozen people gathered near Millennium Park and marched north on Michigan Avenue Sunday to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.
"Today is the day of solidarity with political prisoners of Belarus," said Zhanna Charniauskaya, who's a Belarusian livin in exile in Chicago.
She said over 1,000 people have endured psychological and physical torture while being held prisonder by the Belarusian government.
"We have officially recognized more than 1,500 political prisoners in jail," said Charniauskaya. "The Lukashenko regime is persecuting everyone who were in the streets in August 2020, protesting against the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus."
Alexander Lukashenko has led Belarus since 1994, which makes him the longest-sitting European president, and he has a reputation of stifling any dissent in the country of more than 9 million people on the border of Russia.
Since that contested 2020 election, the United States has not recognized Lukashenko as the legitimately elected leader of Belarus.
Maryna Kazak was among those holding a sign and marching in the sun to support Belarusians.
"It's my duty to be here," Kazak said. "I'm here for myself and for my friends in Belarus."
The demonstrators said they also march — and stand in solidarity with — those in Ukraine. Yuriy Makar held a large Ukrainian flag.
"Ukrainians and Belarusans have a common history," said Makar. "We see them as brothers, and I just want to show our support because they're pretty much occupied by a Russian-influenced government."
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