Participants of Free Hugs action detained in Belarus

• 27.01.2010, 16:19

An action, similar to those held all over the world, was cracked down by Belarusian militia. Militiamen drew up reports against the participants.

The youth made an attempt to carry out a Free Hug action in Brest. The event didn’t pursue political or religious aims. The objective was to raise spirits of participants themselves and passers-by.

The Free Hugs campaign is a movement involving individuals who offer hugs to strangers in public places. The campaign was started in 2004 by Australian man Juan Mann. The campaign became famous internationally in 2006 as the result of a music video on YouTube by the Australian band Sick Puppies.

According to “Belorusski Partizan”, such actions have been held in the United States for many years, but the Brest militia is more vigilant. As soon as young people with posters Free Hugs and Let’s Hug gathered, the law enforcement officers suspected them of committing something illegal.

The participants ended their action in a militia station, where 4 administrative reports against them were drawn up (illegal organizing activity of a public association, religious organization or a foundation, or taking part in their activity).