2020 Belarusian protests facts for kids

The 2020 Belarusian protests were a series of street protests in Belarus that started on March 24, 2020. People were protesting against the country's president, Alexander Lukashenko. These protests were also known by nicknames like the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution.

The protests were part of a bigger movement in Belarus that wants more democracy. Many people were very upset about the 2020 Belarusian presidential election. They believed the election was not fair and that the results were changed, or "rigged." President Lukashenko was controversially re-elected, meaning many people questioned if he truly won.

After the election, President Lukashenko received support from Russian President Vladimir Putin. This support helped Lukashenko stay in power. The security forces in Belarus then began to act against the people who were protesting.

What Were the Protests About?

The main reason for the protests was the presidential election held in August 2020. Many citizens believed that the election results were not real and that President Alexander Lukashenko, who had been in power for a long time, had cheated to win again. People wanted a fair election and a change in leadership.

Why "Slipper" and "Cockroach" Revolutions?

The protests got some interesting nicknames. The "Slipper Revolution" came from early protests where people used slippers to show their anger. The "Anti-Cockroach Revolution" nickname came from a children's poem called Tarakanishche (The Monster Cockroach) by Korney Chukovsky. People started calling President Lukashenko "the cockroach" as a way to protest against him.

Who Was Involved?

The protests involved many ordinary people across Belarus who felt their voices were not being heard. A key figure who ran against Lukashenko in the election was Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. She became a symbol for many who wanted change. After the election, she left Belarus for her safety.

How Did the Government Respond?

The government, led by President Lukashenko, responded to the protests with force. Security forces, like the police, tried to stop the demonstrations. Many protesters were arrested, and there were reports of people being hurt. This strong response from the government made the protests even bigger at times.

Images for kids

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  The nickname "cockroach" for Lukashenko was adopted from Korney Chukovsky's 1921 children's poem Tarakanishche (The Monster Cockroach).

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  Opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (left) alongside a crowd of supporters in Minsk on 30 July

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  First press conference of the Coordination Council on 18 August 2020

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  Rally in memory of Alexander Taraikovsky on 15 August

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  Protesters waving the European Union and white-red-white flags during a rally against Lukashenko, on the 16th August 2020.

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  Heraldic banner of the Pahonia coat of arms

See also

In Spanish: Protestas en Bielorrusia de 2020-2021 para niños