The protests withered away as severe cold set in and Belarusians became wearied by police repressions that were often violent. While opposition leaders chose peaceful tactics, police in Belarus intensified their repression and began to use water cannons, gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrations. But harsh actions by security forces have only temporarily muted the protests, Shraibman said. During the period of mass protests, Lukashenko talked about “the decline of the presidential life” and possible resignation, but then he stopped such statements. The opposition aims to resume its mass actions on March 25, the anniversary of the 1918 declaration of a short-lived independent Belarus.

Source: ABC News February 07, 2021 09:45 UTC