Stand With Belarus

On the 22nd of January 2016 the city of Rancho Cordova signed a Friendship Agreement with the city of Grodno, Belarus. In this agreement, the two cities agreed they “shall encourage other communities to join friendly relationships as a means of promoting peace and welfare for all mankind”. Grodno (like the rest of Belarus) enjoys neither peace nor welfare under the thumb of the Lukashenka regime. According to the Human Rights Center Viasna, at least seven (7) of the 702 political prisoners are currently being held at Open Correction Facility #24 located in Grodno, Belarus. An untold number have been detained and no doubt passed through this very correctional facility. Lukashenka’s Stalin-like purges of independent media, routine torture, extrajudicial killings, and daily human rights violations stand in direct conflict to basic human rights, American values and the spirit under which this agreement was signed. The agreement also states that the two cities “shall exert ourselves to promote mutual understanding and friendly relations”. The time has come for the city of Rancho Cordova to “exert itself” in “promoting peace and welfare”. Rancho Cordova’s City Councill must take a stand and offer its public support to the residents of Gradno and citizens of Belarus in solidarity with their struggle for basic human rights like freedom of speech and the right of self-determination. Freedoms we enjoy, if not take for granted, here in Ranch Cordova. As a resident of Rancho Cordova, small-business owner, Iraq-Veteran and United States Citizen I ask, I implore, I demand my local elected officials (bound through oath to represent their community) take seriously, through tangible action, the situation in Belarus. 140 characters is not enough. Rancho Cordova must execute formal, public and symbolic actions in order to show our unwavering support to Belarusians who have suffered so dearly for over a year. Failure to do so offers tacit approval for such actions and undermines the work and sacrifice of countless Belarusians fighting for a better tomorrow. Press conferences, flag raisings, diaspora outreach and genuine advocacy to State and Federal leadership is the minimum requirement for my local elected leaders. My commitment to Belarusians who have been negatively impacted by Lukashenka’s medieval repression is resolute and unwavering. I would hope my local elected leaders feel the same in the face of such abhorrent violations of basic human rights. Жыве Беларусь!