2,000 entrepreneurs asking God in prayer to put sense into Mayor Sadovy’s head

February07200812:40

About 2,000 entrepreneurs from Lviv’s largest Pivdenny market have rallied Feb. 7 near the city council in prayer for the honesty of the city authorities. They have surrounded the building in a semi-circle, urging the mayor to join them, the ZIK correspondent reports.

The prayer for the honesty of the authorities is attended by twelve priests of various confessions.

“The authorities are constantly suppressing our freedoms. And this is done by the people whom we elected to power. We have seen no other way but to ask the God to give them some sense so that they purify themselves and stop turning their backs on us,” deputy general manger of the Pivdenny market Ivan Khas said.

Mr Khas stressed the event has a public and religious dimensions, without any political subtext. “This is a peaceful action, but I do not exclude we will have to resort to radical protests – in strict accordance with the law. We have no claims to anyone, we want to have what we have earned with our truth, care and love,” Ivan Khas stressed.

“Eager for more payoffs from Pivdenny, the officials are using the trumped-up land issue. They accuse Pivdenny managers of shortchanging the city on payments for land. Pivdenny is perfectly prepared to pay its monthly rent,” Ivan Khas noted.

Entrepreneurs around the city hall are carrying slogans and posters saying,”You won’t defeat Pivdenny!”, “We know how to protect ourselves against bribe-takers,” “Stop building foreign supermarkets! We’re losing jobs!” “Honest authorities for Lviv!” “God help Sadovyj!”

Comment by ZIK.

The Pivdenny market company employs over 10,000 traders. The market was opened 11 years ago.