Rally against Poland’s closure of its border with Belarus and the policy of confrontation held in Grodno
Representatives of Belarusian public and veterans' organisations, labour teams, pensioners and young people gathered near Poland’s Consulate General building in Grodno – all united by a common goal: to convey their disagreement with the ongoing events to the neighbouring country’s government. People came with slogans, flags and posters reading: ‘No to border closures’, ‘No to diversions and provocations!’, ‘Poland, get off the American mare!’.
The most numerous group was probably the one representing the Belaya Rus republican public organisation. The Deputy Chairperson of its Grodno branch, Svetlana Varyanitsa, addressed the Consulate General staff, “Many ordinary Poles have visited our region without visas over the years, so we want to address them first of all. Dear Poles, remember that we have always treated you with open hearts! After all, you also have the right to vote, so support us during this Year of Peace and Creation! Today we oppose the actions of your authorities, which create difficulties in interpersonal, human, economic and state interaction between our countries. We are still a peaceful state, peaceful people, and we still want to have a normal dialogue!”
In turn, the Chairman of the Grodno Regional Entrepreneurship Association, Igor Chernyakov, was very emotional in his speech, “We were outraged to learn that, on February 10th, the Bobrovniki checkpoint was unilaterally closed. Such destructive actions create a negative impact on many areas of activity between our countries, and family ties are collapsing. All this is happening because Belarus is pursuing a policy of openness, and our country repeatedly extends the decrees on visa-free visits to the country for all residents of the European Union. Over the past year, tens of thousands of Poles have come to us for tourist and cultural purposes. We are particularly concerned about the escalation of the military component. We want to convey our disagreement, we intend to make every effort within the legal framework to convey our message to those who make such decisions.”
Among those present were also young people, and they were actively discussing their future at the rally. Biology student Vadim Gunko shared his opinion, “I have come here with my classmates and friends. Studentship is the time when everyone has the opportunity to try themselves in any place, and accordingly abroad. The closure of borders indicates that the academic mobility is at risk. At such moments, we come to understanding that we live in a difficult time, and that not all universal values are supported. We wonder why this is happening, who does not want to communicate with us, and why.”
Another rally participant, Natalia Serdechnaya, did not hide her excitement for the future, “Poland's policy of closing the borders with Belarus is illegal! It is truly blasphemous to divide our peoples. Everyone has the right to move freely both on one side and on the other. Poland cuts off all contacts between the two peoples, and this is at least unprecedented behaviour that the country demonstrates in relation to people who live on its territory and in Belarus.”
The head of Grodno’s veteran organisation, Ivan Tustov, also commented, “We proclaim: no to the iron curtain! We experienced all this in the past. We stand for peace and friendship between Belarus and Poland. We want everyone to understand, both here and abroad, that war is pain, grief, and death. This is the worst thing that can happen. It is very unpleasant for us that Poland is arming itself today, that large-scale exercises are taking place near our borders, that the neighbouring country is holding provocative events. We want to live in friendship! Hear us! We must restore good neighbourly relations – so that there is no shame in front of our children and grandchildren!”
