Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Washingtonians March for Belarus, Recalling Baltic Protests

Natalie Liu

   WASHINGTON - Sundays for the Barysevich family are usually a time to
   catch up on chores and take their two young children to nearby parks
   and playgrounds. But just weeks after a disputed election in Yauheni
   Barysevich's Belarusian homeland, this past Sunday was a time to
   protest.

   "The last two weeks have been very different for our family and every
   Belarusian around the world," he told VOA.

   Shortly after breakfast, he set out on foot with his 5-year-old
   daughter, Lauren, pedaling her bicycle alongside, a big red-and-white
   Belarusian flag streaming from the back of it.

   "My wife sewed this flag back in 2006," Barysevich said, recalling that
   the now-familiar symbol of protest could not be purchased in the United
   States at that time. "I have taken it to every Belarusian event in the
   U.S. It has traveled with me to different states. And now my children
   know about it and what it signifies."

.