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Belarusians in America Back Protests in Homeland

Kulsoom Khan

   BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS - Chants of "Long Live Belarus" echoed through
   a busy intersection in the Chicago suburb of Buffalo Grove, as people
   dressed in red and white -- the colors of the Belarusian flag --
   proudly waved their home country's banner and sang patriotic songs.

   Local Belarusians, part of Chicago's large Eastern European community,
   have been rallying in solidarity with the people of Belarus since that
   nation's August9 election in which President Alexander Lukashenko won a
   sixth term over opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskayawith what
   officials declared was 80% of the vote.

   Since then, tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets
   of the Belarussian capital, Minsk, charging that the election outcome
   was rigged and demanding the resignation of Lukashenko, whom critics
   have characterized as "Europe's last dictator."

   "All the power is in the hands of just one person. And what's on his
   mind? No one knows," said Stas Pivavarau, who held red and white
   balloons. "Against his people, he is prepared to go as far as he can,
   simply to remain in the seat."

   Pivavarau, who moved to Chicago a year ago to be with his parents and
   brother, had been studying in New Zealand and supported Tsikhanouskaya
   in the recent election.

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