Zubr, one of the better known Belarussian opposition youth groups to the west, is about to receive a nice check from the Berkeley chapter of Students for Global Democracy. They organized a Hike For Democracy event, and raised one thousand dollars.

Berkeley, California, USA — A group of 30 students at the University of California, Berkeley, organized a Hike for Democracy to raise money for the Belarusian pro-democracy youth movement, ZUBR. On 30 April 2005, the students, in the organization “Berkeley Students for Global Democracy” (Berkeley SGD), hiked 17 kilometers around Tilden Park, a beautiful protected wild area in the hills above the town of Berkeley in California. The group raised more than US $1000, to be given to ZUBR to support their printing of independent pro-democracy leaflets and newspapers.

Berkeley SGD coordinator Arthur Edelstein said, “Students at Berkeley have a history of fighting for free speech since the 1960s. It’s clear to us Belarus deserves to be free. We believe that Belarusian students, including those in ZUBR, are the ones who will bring much-needed democracy to Belarus. We are glad to be able to give support to ZUBR’s activities in their important struggle for freedom.”

Who said all Berkeley students are commies? Kudos and good job to them. I’m actually a recent individual member of Students for Global Democracy, and will be starting a chapter next year in the Boston area. The money raised for Belarussian dissidents is part of the BELL campaign that they have put together, and that $1000 will be able to print up to 60,000 copies of opposition newspapers. Make sure to take a look around their website and consider helping their efforts. If you are a blogger, consider posting about their efforts, and if you are a student interested in Belarussian democracy, you can even consider opening a chapter. Get the word out! Democracy in Belarus is coming sooner than you think.