(Thread) "Your gathering is illegal" - the police repeated this phrase probably 1000 times today. People gathered despite the ban, threats by the Ministry of Defense, and Lukashenka himself. A whole week, Russian and State media were convincing people that the protest is waning. 
Lukashenka unified the nation against himself. Even babushkas from my neighborhood no longer trust him. State propaganda empowered by RT does not work. The protest is entirely grassroots—all posters, flags, prepared by people. Telegram channels in charge of coordination.
Protest is getting more mature every day. While Lukashenka becomes pro-Russian, the protest gets more pro-Belarusian. It’s not about president only, it’s about national dignity now. Belarusians hold historical flags, sing Belarusian songs. Belarusians became Europeans at protest
The biggest power of protests — it is entirely PEACEFUL. All soldiers and police on Minsk streets demonstrate rather weakness of the regime not power.
Lukashenka and his son appeared at streets with assault rifles. He is not going to give up, and he is not going to negotiate. He feels secure backup from Putin. Loyal police ready to shoot in his name. The situation is getting unsolvable. Nobody is going to step back.
The opposition called on all workers to strike, addressed the army to side with the people. With no success yet. Lukashenka fears military betrayal and also fears sanctions. But he is not invincible. Strikes and financial crises can seriously damage Lukashenka’s confidence.
Apparently, Lukashenka wanted to be remembered as the ”father of the nation”. But more likely, he will be remembered as another dictator and caricature of himself.
