Jeans Revolution
Encyclopedia
The Jeans Revolution ' onMouseout='HidePop("91849")' href="/topics/Transliteration">transliteration
: Džynsavaja revalucyja) was a term used by the democratic opposition in Belarus
and their supporters in the West to describe their effort and aspirations as regarding democratic changes in Belarus at the presidential elections of 2006. It was also later dubbed Cornflower Revolution (васильковая революция, in Russian media) and Denim Revolution, both referring to the blue color, in parallel with other color revolution
s; however, unlike them, it did not bring radical changes to Belarusian politics and society.
The term was coined after a September 16, 2005 public demonstration against the policies of Alexander Lukashenko
. (On September 16, 1999, popular opposition leader Viktor Gonchar disappeared
; the present head of SOBR
, Dmitri Pavlichenko
, is suspected by the Council of Europe
to be linked to Gonchar's disappearance.) The Belarusian police seized the white-red-white flags
used by the opposition and banned in the state, and an activist of the youth movement Zubr
, Mikita Sasim (Belarusian: Мiкiта Сасiм, Russian: Никита Сасим), raised his denim
shirt (commonly called "jeans shirt" in Russian), announcing this will be their flag instead. This spontaneous incident was recognized to have a symbolic meaning. In the former Soviet Union
jeans
were a symbol of the Western culture
, and hence jeans were immediately recognized by Belarusian opposition as a symbol of protest against Lukashenko's Soviet-like policies, as well as the symbol that Belarusians are "not isolated" (from the West
) Subsequently, Zubr suggested to wear jeans on 16th day of each month, in remembrance of alleged disappearances
in Belarus.
The term "Jeans Revolution" was brought to worldwide attention in reference to the demonstrations held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus
, disputing the Belarusian presidential election, 2006
. Up to 40,000 protesters gathered in October Square on March 19, 2006, it is believed.
The protest against the outcome of the March 19 election began as soon as polls closed late Sunday, with more than 10,000 people gathering in the square. The protest dwindled since then. Each evening saw a smaller and smaller gathering—5,000 on Monday, 3,000 to 4,000 on Tuesday. As of March 23, only about 200 mostly youthful protesters remained concentrated around the opposition's tent camp erected on October Square in Minsk. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060323/ts_afp/belarusvote_060323111428
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On March 24, authorities sent in riot police to clear out the makeshift tent camp in October Square and told them to disperse. State television emphasized a report from city police stating that no one was hurt in the operation. Some observers said the relatively gentle treatment of demonstrators suggested that Belarusian president may be attempting to react more sensitively given Western opinion. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060324/ts_nm/belarus_dc_50
President Alexander Lukashenko
earlier announced that protests similar to what occurred during the Orange
, Rose
and Tulip
Revolution
s will not take place in Belarus
, stating that "force will not be used" to claim the presidency. Belarus authorities vowed to crush unrest in the event of large-scale protests following the election. Despite the government's prediction, the rally after the election was the biggest the opposition had mustered in years, reaching at least 10,000, according to AP reporters' estimates.
On March 20, Alaksandar Milinkievič
told to 7,000 supporters (smaller than Sunday's gathering) that they faced a long haul with their protests: "We, free people of Belarus, will never recognise the election. They are afraid of us. Their power is based on lies." However, Lukashenko renewed charges that his rivals had planned pro-Western revolts like those in ex-Soviet Ukraine
and Georgia
. "Let me say that the revolution that so many people talked about and some were preparing, has failed and it could not be otherwise," he stated during the news conference on his victory.
On March 25, the 45,000 protesters in Belarus met police that did not clash with them, because they were waiting for riot police, but they did not interfere. However, moving on, the protesters clashed with riot police and were eventually driven back. The riot police arrested more than 100 people along with Alexander Kozulin
, a supporter of the protests and a candidate against Lukashenko. Kozulin was allegedly assaulted by the police during his arrest and on July 14, 2006, was sentenced to five and a half years imprisonment for his actions in the protests.
Also, on the 25th, Milinkevich stated that he hoped for a month long cease in protests, apparently hoping that he could build up opposition and calm angst.
The opposition movement, especially the post-election protests, was documented by Belarussian filmmaker Yury Khashchavatski in his film Kalinoŭvski Square
.
Transliteration
Transliteration is a subset of the science of hermeneutics. It is a form of translation, and is the practice of converting a text from one script into another...
: Džynsavaja revalucyja) was a term used by the democratic opposition in Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
and their supporters in the West to describe their effort and aspirations as regarding democratic changes in Belarus at the presidential elections of 2006. It was also later dubbed Cornflower Revolution (васильковая революция, in Russian media) and Denim Revolution, both referring to the blue color, in parallel with other color revolution
Color revolution
Colour revolutions is a term that was widely used by the media to describe related movements that developed in several societies in the CIS and Balkan states during the early 2000s. The term has also been applied to a number of revolutions elsewhere, including in the Middle East...
s; however, unlike them, it did not bring radical changes to Belarusian politics and society.
The term was coined after a September 16, 2005 public demonstration against the policies of Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko has been serving as the President of Belarus since 20 July 1994. Before his career as a politician, Lukashenko worked as director of a state-owned agricultural farm. Under Lukashenko's rule, Belarus has come to be viewed as a state whose conduct is out of line...
. (On September 16, 1999, popular opposition leader Viktor Gonchar disappeared
Forced disappearance
In international human rights law, a forced disappearance occurs when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organization or by a third party with the authorization, support, or acquiescence of a state or political organization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the...
; the present head of SOBR
SOBR
The Special Rapid Response Unit or SOBR is an elite commando unit of the Russian Interior Ministry, involved in anti-criminal operations....
, Dmitri Pavlichenko
Dmitri Pavlichenko
Dmitri Valeriyevich Pavlichenko , born 1966 in Vitebsk, is head of the Belarusian Special Rapid Reaction Unit .-Allegations of assassinations:...
, is suspected by the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
to be linked to Gonchar's disappearance.) The Belarusian police seized the white-red-white flags
Flag of Belarus
The current national flag of Belarus was formally adopted on June 7, 1995, following the result of a referendum voted on by the Belarusian people in the previous month. This new design replaced a historical flag used by the Belarusian People's Republic of 1918, before Belarus became a Soviet...
used by the opposition and banned in the state, and an activist of the youth movement Zubr
Zubr (political organization)
Zubr was a civic youth organization in Belarus backed by the United States and western powers in opposition to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The organization drew inspiration from Otpor student movement which contributed to the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević in 2000, and from Gene Sharp's...
, Mikita Sasim (Belarusian: Мiкiта Сасiм, Russian: Никита Сасим), raised his denim
Denim
Denim is a rugged cotton twill textile, in which the weft passes under two or more warp threads. This produces the familiar diagonal ribbing identifiable on the reverse of the fabric, which distinguishes denim from cotton duck. Denim has been in American usage since the late 18th century...
shirt (commonly called "jeans shirt" in Russian), announcing this will be their flag instead. This spontaneous incident was recognized to have a symbolic meaning. In the former Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
jeans
Jeans
Jeans are trousers made from denim. Some of the earliest American blue jeans were made by Jacob Davis, Calvin Rogers, and Levi Strauss in 1873. Starting in the 1950s, jeans, originally designed for cowboys, became popular among teenagers. Historic brands include Levi's, Lee, and Wrangler...
were a symbol of the Western culture
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
, and hence jeans were immediately recognized by Belarusian opposition as a symbol of protest against Lukashenko's Soviet-like policies, as well as the symbol that Belarusians are "not isolated" (from the West
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
) Subsequently, Zubr suggested to wear jeans on 16th day of each month, in remembrance of alleged disappearances
Forced disappearance
In international human rights law, a forced disappearance occurs when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organization or by a third party with the authorization, support, or acquiescence of a state or political organization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the...
in Belarus.
The term "Jeans Revolution" was brought to worldwide attention in reference to the demonstrations held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
, disputing the Belarusian presidential election, 2006
Belarusian presidential election, 2006
Presidential elections were held in Belarus on 19 March 2006. The result was a victory for incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, who received 84.4% of the vote. However, western observers deemed the elections rigged...
. Up to 40,000 protesters gathered in October Square on March 19, 2006, it is believed.
The protest against the outcome of the March 19 election began as soon as polls closed late Sunday, with more than 10,000 people gathering in the square. The protest dwindled since then. Each evening saw a smaller and smaller gathering—5,000 on Monday, 3,000 to 4,000 on Tuesday. As of March 23, only about 200 mostly youthful protesters remained concentrated around the opposition's tent camp erected on October Square in Minsk. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060323/ts_afp/belarusvote_060323111428
President Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko has been serving as the President of Belarus since 20 July 1994. Before his career as a politician, Lukashenko worked as director of a state-owned agricultural farm. Under Lukashenko's rule, Belarus has come to be viewed as a state whose conduct is out of line...
earlier announced that protests similar to what occurred during the Orange
Orange Revolution
The Orange Revolution was a series of protests and political events that took place in Ukraine from late November 2004 to January 2005, in the immediate aftermath of the run-off vote of the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election which was claimed to be marred by massive corruption, voter...
, Rose
Rose Revolution
The "Revolution of Roses" was a change of power in Georgia in November 2003, which took place after having widespread protests over the disputed parliamentary elections...
and Tulip
Tulip Revolution
The Tulip Revolution or First Kyrgyz Revolution refers to the overthrow of President Askar Akayev and his government in the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan after the parliamentary elections of February 27 and of March 13, 2005...
Revolution
Revolution
A revolution is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.Aristotle described two types of political revolution:...
s will not take place in Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
, stating that "force will not be used" to claim the presidency. Belarus authorities vowed to crush unrest in the event of large-scale protests following the election. Despite the government's prediction, the rally after the election was the biggest the opposition had mustered in years, reaching at least 10,000, according to AP reporters' estimates.
On March 20, Alaksandar Milinkievič
Alaksandar Milinkievic
Aliaksandr Uładzimiravič Milinkevič is a Belarusian politician. He was nominated by the leading opposition parties in Belarus to run against incumbent Alexander Lukashenko in the presidential election on 19 March 2006.-Biography:...
told to 7,000 supporters (smaller than Sunday's gathering) that they faced a long haul with their protests: "We, free people of Belarus, will never recognise the election. They are afraid of us. Their power is based on lies." However, Lukashenko renewed charges that his rivals had planned pro-Western revolts like those in ex-Soviet Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
and Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. "Let me say that the revolution that so many people talked about and some were preparing, has failed and it could not be otherwise," he stated during the news conference on his victory.
On March 25, the 45,000 protesters in Belarus met police that did not clash with them, because they were waiting for riot police, but they did not interfere. However, moving on, the protesters clashed with riot police and were eventually driven back. The riot police arrested more than 100 people along with Alexander Kozulin
Alaksandar Kazulin
Alaksandr Kazulin , is the former leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party and one of the candidates who ran for the office of President of Belarus on March 19, 2006....
, a supporter of the protests and a candidate against Lukashenko. Kozulin was allegedly assaulted by the police during his arrest and on July 14, 2006, was sentenced to five and a half years imprisonment for his actions in the protests.
Also, on the 25th, Milinkevich stated that he hoped for a month long cease in protests, apparently hoping that he could build up opposition and calm angst.
The opposition movement, especially the post-election protests, was documented by Belarussian filmmaker Yury Khashchavatski in his film Kalinoŭvski Square
Kalinovski Square (film)
Kalinovski Square is an award-winning 2007 documentary film by Belarusian filmmaker Yury Khashchavatski. The film takes a critical look at the re-election of Alexander Lukashenko in March 2006, featuring especially the protests that occurred after the election was found to be fraudulent...
.
See also
- Belarus Free TheatreBelarus Free TheatreBelarus Free Theatre is a Belarusian underground theatre group.Under the current political system the Belarus Free Theatre has no official registration, no premises, nor any other facilities...
- "A Day of Solidarity with BelarusA Day of Solidarity with BelarusA Day of Solidarity with Belarus is an action proposed by the Belarusian journalist Iryna Khalip, supported by the civic initiative We Remember and the Zubr movement....
" - Under the Radar FestivalUnder the Radar FestivalThe Under the Radar Festival is a theater festival in New York City, founded in 2005 by Mark Russell, former Artistic Director of P.S. 122 for over twenty years and also Guest Artistic Director for the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art's Time-Based Art Festival in 2006...
- A Lesson of Belarusian
External links
- Zubr (Bison) Youth movement for democracy and freedom in Belarus (in Belarusian, English and Russian)
- Belarusians Wear Jeans in Silent Protest (ABC News)
- http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/24/news/belarus.phpIn Belarus, expecting to lose, then win (International Herald TribuneInternational Herald TribuneThe International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. It combines the resources of its own correspondents with those of The New York Times and is printed at 38 sites throughout the world, for sale in more than 160 countries and territories...
)] - 12 mln dollars were spent in vain on “blue revolution” in Belarus (Itar Tass report on the revolution's funding)