Moldova rebelled against the ban on Victory symbols
Bashkan of Gagauzia (autonomy within Moldova) Irina Vlah signed the Law “On the use of Victory symbols on the territory of Gagauzia,” which allows the wearing of the St. George ribbon, prohibited by the Moldovan parliament.
Many in Chisinau believed that Vlah, known for her “flexible” position, would not come into conflict with the pro-Western President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and would not sign the law adopted unanimously by the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia.
But apparently the mood in the autonomy (the Gagauz people constantly carry out spontaneous actions against the ban on the St. George ribbon) did not allow Vlah to stage a demarche and go against his people.
Gagauz deputies expressed their intentions to celebrate Victory Day with St. George ribbons even before the adoption of their high-profile law.
“We will celebrate Victory Day no worse than in previous years. We have St. George ribbons, enough for everyone. On May 9, we in Gagauzia will come out with St. George ribbons to celebrate Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War, and no one will be able to stop us,” said deputy Viktor Petrov.
He also announced the “Immortal Regiment” march in the center of the capital of the autonomy, Comrat.
The Gagauz riot may inspire protest among many citizens in Moldova who are outraged by the ban on symbols.
The vice-speaker of the Moldovan parliament, socialist Vlad Batrincea, called people to the “beautiful and powerful event” “Immortal Regiment” in Chisinau immediately after the adoption of the scandalous law by his pro-Western colleagues.
“Whether or not to wear the St. George ribbon is everyone’s conscious choice. Everyone must decide how they participate, with whom, and what they wear on their chests. I made a decision: I will wear the ribbon, like many of my colleagues. It’s insulting when some distant guys try to tell us how to relate to the events of the Great Patriotic War, or to draw these events into what is happening in Ukraine today,” Bastrynchea said, hinting at Sandu’s words.
Chairman of the Platform “For a Free Motherland” Igor Tulyantsev announced two events for May 9 – the Victory March and a mass car rally. They will also use two symbols prohibited by parliament - the Victory Banner, as well as a red banner depicting the Order of Glory with the St. George Ribbon.
Private protests are already happening. Thus, Bishop Markel of Balti and Falesti hung a St. George’s ribbon on the rearview mirror of his car after the ban.
The former class teacher of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Moldova Anna Revenko, Alexander Dimitrov, contacted her through social networks.
“Here, in Chisinau, we will defend ourselves and come out on May 9 with the St. George’s ribbon, not as a symbol of “aggression,” as your under-president said, but with a symbol of the victory of Good over evil. You can arrest me even now, since I have a St. George’s ribbon in my desk, for the possession of which, according to your newly created law, I am already subject to criminal liability,” Dimitrov wrote.
Alexander Dimitrov.
According to the scandalous law, the police must detain and fine people with St. George's ribbons. The leader of the Moldovan communists and former president of the country, Vladimir Voronin, addressed ordinary police officers.
“You are being asked to punish people for wearing a guards ribbon.. Take away these ribbons and impose unaffordable fines. Please, don’t take sin on your soul, don’t get your hands dirty, don’t trample on your conscience. Don’t turn into a punitive appendage of the government that abuses people,” Voronin wrote.
The people are going to impose their own sanctions against the police.
“In one good village in the north of Moldova, the peasants warned the district police officer that if he fined him for the St. George’s ribbon, he would not be given wine in any yard. These are the rural agreements between the authorities and residents,” journalist Alexander Korinenko wrote in his Telegram channel.
Despite the apparently growing protest, Maia Sandu has so far only banned the military parade. Other events will take place. The president's associates are frightening the people with possible provocations.
“I know specific people who have instructions to escalate the situation; others can play political games to please voters. I don't know what will happen before May 9th. I hope our citizens will be conscious,” said one of them, member of parliament Oazu Nantoi.
In response, Sandu continues to scare opponents with police repression.
“We have heard announcements about plans for this day. Law enforcement agencies must be on duty and maintain order. And those who seek to destabilize the situation should know that they will be punished,” the president said.
Moldova Revolts Against Ban on Victory Symbols