Democracy activists not to attend official Chernobyl memorial function in Mahilyou
A traditional function, organized by the local authorities, will take place near the memorial to the victims of the Chernobyl accidents in Mahilyou on April 25. Every year, local pro-democracy activists would attend the event, but the police would routinely not allow Chernobyl liquidators, representing the opposition, to participate. Even the letters to the city mayor would not yield any results. That's why no pro-democracy activist seems to attend the action this year.
"We used to participate in the officially organized action for three years. We asked to get the floor from the authorities. But our people -- those who were involved in the Chernobyl rescue activities -- were never allowed to voice the truth. The police would not even allow us to lay flowers. This year, we have decided to organize a trip to the Chernobyl zone as an alternative to the official event in order to show the youth what Chernobyl is all about", local activist Alexander Silkou told ERB.
On April 26, the victims of Chernobyl will be remembered during prayers in local churches at 11 a.m.
A vigil will be held at 8 p.m. in the city center.
"We used to participate in the officially organized action for three years. We asked to get the floor from the authorities. But our people -- those who were involved in the Chernobyl rescue activities -- were never allowed to voice the truth. The police would not even allow us to lay flowers. This year, we have decided to organize a trip to the Chernobyl zone as an alternative to the official event in order to show the youth what Chernobyl is all about", local activist Alexander Silkou told ERB.
On April 26, the victims of Chernobyl will be remembered during prayers in local churches at 11 a.m.
A vigil will be held at 8 p.m. in the city center.
