Chaos Kitchen Voku for Former Belarusian Political Prisoners

Thursday April 30, 2026, Chaos Kitchen Voku for Former Belarusian Political Prisoners. Food served from 7pm, no reservation.

Since the mass resistance to the illegitimate 2020 elections in Belarus, at least 4,594 people have been recognised as political prisoners. The arrests are still happening, and with the Russian occupation of Ukraine and Belarus’ involvement in the war continuing, we can expect more people detained for their anti-war positions.

Recently though, since December 2025, as part of a deal with the US for lifting sanctions, several hundred political prisoners were released. Some of them were released to neighbouring countries, Lithuania and Ukraine, without the possibility of coming back to Belarus. Urgent help is therefore needed for those brought into exile, as well as those who stayed in Belarus following their release.

While the sentiment behind the release deals is for sure questionable, and it is worrying that the release of a few hundred people may conceal the continuing force of repression, pushing for the freedom of all political prisoners stays a necessity, and so does supporting those who have been released.

To stand in solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners, Chaos Kitchen is raising money for Volnyja that supports those who recently regained their freedom. Donations will go towards clothing, foreign insurance, housing, medical needs, and psychological support for former political prisoners seeking help from Volnyja.

Volkseten Vegazulu is a people’s kitchens existing since the very beginning of Joe’s Garage, June 2005. Your donations are welcome. Food is vegan, no reservation. All benefits go to social & political struggles. Joe’s Garage is a space run by volunteers. Without a collective effort, without your active participation, we’re remaining closed. Get in touch in you feel like giving a hand. We’re always looking for cooks. Any help is welcome in the kitchen. Experience not required. If you want to know which days are still available, mail us.