‘Stop the violence’ Snapshots from yesterday’s peaceful demonstrations in Belarus

Belarus witnessed its fifth day of mass protests on Thursday, August 13, as people continued to demonstrate in opposition to the results of the presidential elections, which claim that incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko (Alyaksandr Lukashenka) won by a landslide 80 percent. During the day, people in cities throughout the country formed solidarity chains opposing the violence security forces used against protesters: these peaceful rallies were led by women who wore white and carried flowers. Large groups of doctors, transport workers, and factory workers joined the solidarity chains, as well. The Belarusian State Philharmonic’s choir also held its own action, performing the unofficial anthem of the Belarusian emigration “Magutny Bozha” (O God Almighty).