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Thousands in Belarus Form 'Lines of Solidarity' in Protest

Associated Press

   Crowds of protesters in Belarus swarmed the streets and thousands of
   workers rallied outside industrial plants Thursday to denounce a police
   crackdown on demonstrations over a disputed election that extended the
   26-year rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.

   Beginning in the morning, hundreds of women formed long "lines of
   solidarity" in several areas of the capital, Minsk. Many were dressed
   in white and carried flowers and portraits of loved ones who have been
   detained during protests that began shortly after Sunday's vote, which
   they said was rigged.

   The human chains grew throughout the day, filling the main central
   squares and avenues as motorists honked in support. In Minsk and many
   other cities, thousands of factory workers also rallied against the
   police violence, raising the prospect of strikes in a new challenge to
   the government.

   Amid growing public dismay, dozens of military and police veterans
   posted videos in which they dumped their uniforms and insignia in the
   trash. Several popular anchors at Belarus' state TV stations have quit.

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