On behalf of Belarusian Americans, we, the Belarus Freedom Forum, express our admiration and congratulate the Polish American Congress on its remarkable achievement of 80 years of leadership and active work in support of the Polish American community and for the freedom, democracy, and national interests of Poland. In 80 years, Poland has transformed into a free, sovereign, democratic, prosperous, and dynamically developing country. Today, Poland is a member of the European Union and NATO, no doubt with the contribution of the Polish American Congress.
Join us in solidarity with those fighting for freedom, democracy, and dignity. On August 9, the Belarusian American community marked the fourth anniversary of the 2020 peaceful mass protests in support of democracy and freedom and against the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus. For the Belarusian Americans, this day is the day of dignity and sorrow. We are proud that in 2020, Belarusians stood up against the dictator, who had been usurping power for 26 years. But so far, we have not won the battle against the dictatorship. Many Belarusians lost their freedom and their lives in this battle.
On May 9, the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University hosted a panel discussion on the gradual annexation of Belarus by Russia, featuring Representative for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Head of United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus Valery Kavaleuski, former U.S. Ambassador to Belarus George Krol, Tufts University Associate Professor of Political Science Oxana Shevel, U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for Eastern Europe and Policy and Regional Affairs Christopher Smith, and moderated by former U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried.
On August 9, the Belarusians who fled the Lukashenka dictatorial regime mark the third anniversary of the Belarusian mass protests against the dictatorship and the fraudulent presidential elections of 2020. Rallies in honor of the protests are planned in 38 cities in the United States and the European Union, where the Belarusian exiles have found refuge. This day has become a tribute to the lives of those killed and persecuted by the regime, a tribute to a courageous battle against the ruthless dictatorship, and a new step toward freedom and democracy for the Belarusian nation.
On October 13, the School of Politics, Security, & International Affairs at the University of Central Florida hosted a speaker panel on the uncommon resilience and future of the democratic movement in Belarus, featuring representative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Foreign Affairs Valery Kavaleuski, political science researcher at Vytautas Magnus University Dr. Tatsiana Chulitskaya, and historian and Distinguished University professor at University of Alberta Dr. David Marples.
