September 27, Pozirk. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja called for renewing faith in democracy and commitment to freedom in the annual Václav Havel Lecture at the University of Chicago yesterday.
“The greatest threat to democracy is not always violence. It’s often fear, doubts, fatigue, loss of hope and simply forgetting who we are and what we stand for,” the politician stressed. “Together, we will prove, once again, that the power of the powerless can change history.”
Those who live in democracies often take their freedoms for granted, whereas Belarusians and Ukrainians know the true price and continue to pay it, she noted.
“Never stop looking for the truth. Never stop asking questions. Never stop learning. Keep an open mind and use the amazing tools you have available today. The goal of tyranny is to make you confuse truth and lies,” Cichanoŭskaja said.
The fight for democracy transcends borders and is a global struggle, the politician stressed.
More than 300 people attended the lecture, including students and academics. Cichanoŭskaja also met with the university administration and the Belarusian community of Chicago.
