On Saturday, February 25th, Ukrainians and other concerned citizens from many countries will massively take to the streets of Brussels to protest against the Russian invasion and for solidarity with Ukraine. The demonstration is part of a worldwide week of action against the Russian war of aggression.
Friday, February 24th, will mark one year since the Russian army invaded Ukraine on the orders of Putin and his regime. A year of indescribable suffering and bloodshed for the Ukrainian people.
The demonstration is organised by grassroot organisations, people actively involved in solidarity with Ukraine and associations of Ukrainians in Belgium. It is supported by citizens who are active in the field of culture, feminism, trade unionism, LGBT rights and other causes. The call was signed by more than 150 citizens and organisations (the list is preliminary), and with one voice calls for: “Immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territories, unconditional halt to the bombing of Ukraine”.
Marta Barandiy, Chairwoman of Promote Ukraine said:
“The invasion has already cost the lives of tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians and military personnel. Every day the Ukrainian people face brutality and violence. Millions of civilians have been forced to flee abroad, millions are internally displaced. Entire towns and villages have been reduced to rubble by Russian bombing and airstrikes. Putin wants to make an independent Ukraine impossible”.
Iryna Khapko, Member of The Association of Ukrainian Women in Belgium further commented:
“Women are the first victims of mass terror. Mass rape campaigns and killings by rape are established attack strategies. With every liberation of a Ukrainian village or town, new crimes come to light. A great many Ukrainian citizens, including children, have been deported, without permission and often by force, to the territory of Russia”.
Felipe van Keirsblick, General Secretary of National Central of Employees added:
“The Ukrainian people rightly refuse to be passive victims of this war of aggression and actively and massively resists the invasion, with or without arms in hand. Widespread mutual solidarity and self-organisation of the population plays a crucial role in enabling this resistance to continue, as does international support in many different forms”.
Jean-Pierre et Luc Dardenne, Belgian movie makers also added:
“The killing of the Ukrainian people and the destruction of independent Ukraine must stop. As human beings, as European citizens we should reject Russian invasion. The widest possible solidarity with the Ukrainian people is more necessary than ever.”
The demonstration is organised on the initiative of Promote Ukraine NGO, The Association of Ukrainian Women in Belgium and the Belgian Committee of European Network of Solidarity with Ukraine. It is supported by more than 150 citizens and organisations.
Image: By rajatonvimma /// VJ Group Random Doctors – We Stand with Ukraine 2022 Helsinki – Finland, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=115639411
