More than 1,000 turn out in solidarity with Ukraine on invasion anniversary
26.02.2023 - 01:21
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester City Centre came to a standstill today as there was a huge turnout in solidarity with Ukraine one year and one day after the country was invaded by Russian forces. The positivity and togetherness on show through music and chants were emotionally charged as people still feel the pain of parts of their country being under occupation.
Men, women, and children wrapped themselves in the yellow and blue of Ukraine as the flags of Azerbaijan and Hong Kong were also held high in a show of solidarity. More than a thousand are thought to have joined the march from Piccadilly Gardens down Market Street with the huge crowd then gathering around the Queen Victoria statue in Piccadilly Gardens for speeches and songs.
Religious leaders, chairs of the association of Ukrainians in Great Britain groups, and more led the crowd, young and old, as they marked the harrowing milestone of the conflict. These rallies are held every Saturday but this one held extra significance leading to the much larger turnout - with mixed emotions felt throughout.
READ MORE: Ukrainian refugees thank Greater Manchester on anniversary of Russian invasion
Maria Romanenko, 30, fled the Kyiv region with her Mancunian partner, Jez Myers, in the days after the invasion. She has since helped fellow Ukrainians who've settled in Greater Manchester to get to know the city with walking tours and much more. Despite the positivity and solidary, it is still very much a sad day, Maria told the Manchester Evening News.
"It's a sad day because of the reasons we are here. But it's great to see such a huge turnout. We really didn't expect to see so many, definitely over 1,000, we loved seeing that.
"It's all about reinstating the message that Manchester and the rest