A nationwide strike announced by opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has started on Monday morning, 26 October. Employees of numeours state enterprises, universities, hundreds of private organizations – medical centers, shops, bars, cafes, language schools, gyms, travel companies, design studios, beauty salons– have joined the protest. Strikes are a result of the expiration of the People’s Ultimatum demanding Lukashenko to resign, violence to stop and political prisoners to be released. The demands of the Ultimatum were not fulfilled. On their way to Yakub Kolasa Square, the protesters were chanting “Karaev [Interior Minister] on trial!”, passing the KGB building, “Tribunal!” chants were heard. According to various estimates, up to 8,000 people took part in a mixed student-pensioner protest.