Photos courtesy of the Grodno TV and Radio Company
MINSK, 15 November (BelTA) - Lithuanian freight carriers held a protest in Vilnius against the border closure with Belarus, according to the Grodno TV and Radio Company.
Representatives from various companies aimed to demonstrate to their authorities that there are legitimate businesses in the country and they are suffering losses due to the border closure. Approximately two dozen carriers, who are also the owners of their firms, joined the protest. The trucks were decorated with balloons.
“This is a clear demonstration to the Lithuanian authorities that there are balloons, and there are real people,” said Vitaly Gigevich, head of the transport and logistics company Kelruva. The participants called on the authorities not only to bring their citizens home but also to open the border so they can work peacefully again, earn profits, pay taxes, and thereby replenish the budget.
“It's a peaceful protest,” Vitaly Gigevich emphasized. “We met to discuss plans and support each other, because there is no support from the Lithuanian authorities.” The protesters believe that by halting cross-border traffic, the Lithuanian authorities have supported smugglers rather than law-abiding citizens who pay taxes and continue to pay them even without work.
Representatives from various companies aimed to demonstrate to their authorities that there are legitimate businesses in the country and they are suffering losses due to the border closure. Approximately two dozen carriers, who are also the owners of their firms, joined the protest. The trucks were decorated with balloons.
“This is a clear demonstration to the Lithuanian authorities that there are balloons, and there are real people,” said Vitaly Gigevich, head of the transport and logistics company Kelruva. The participants called on the authorities not only to bring their citizens home but also to open the border so they can work peacefully again, earn profits, pay taxes, and thereby replenish the budget.
“It's a peaceful protest,” Vitaly Gigevich emphasized. “We met to discuss plans and support each other, because there is no support from the Lithuanian authorities.” The protesters believe that by halting cross-border traffic, the Lithuanian authorities have supported smugglers rather than law-abiding citizens who pay taxes and continue to pay them even without work.
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