"Battery Factory's Got So Much Going On Now That They're Getting Dizzy"

Brest citizens have gathered for a protest rally, despite the suspension of the battery factory construction.

In the afternoon of June 16, the traditional feeding of pigeons took place in Lenin Square in Brest as a sign of protest against the construction of a battery factory near Brest. This time, about 300 people gathered in the square. Most of them then marched through the main streets of the city. The main topic of the discussion was the decision of regional head Anatol Lis to suspend the works until the violations are eliminated, the Brest Newspaper reports.

"I want to believe that this is not a performance, that the offices will support us, start to check and double-check everything and come to the truth," - one of the protesters said.

"iPower has so much going on now that they're getting dizzy. Nobody will let them change the legislation to suit themselves. The plant will be closed down unequivocally. The question is only in time - maybe in a week, maybe in two months. It is unprofitable for everyone: the authorities, the state. It's not profitable for us," - activist Aleh Vialau believes.

The construction of a battery factory at the Airport industrial site in the FEZ Brest began in late 2017. It was supposed to be launched in August 2018, and then at the end of 2018. In 2019, the terms were also repeatedly extended.

Simultaneously with the construction, a campaign against the creation of this enterprise in the FEZ began in Brest region. Throughout this time, the initiative group of Brest citizens and residents of the region, as well as its supporters, have constantly reported numerous violations at different stages of the project. The plant's representatives assured that there were no violations, and until recently officials also said so.

Starting from March 5, 2018, every Sunday, the opponents of the plant go to Lenin Square to feed pigeons and thus express their silent protest against the construction of the battery plant in the FEZ Brest. Many of them have been detained and fined more than once for this.

The campaign against the plant has already become the longest protest in the history of modern Belarus. The activists say that they will continue to go out to the square and carry out round-the-clock watch near the plant, with photo and video recording, until the plant is closed.