‘The world has woken up’: How Mancunians joined together to show love and support for Ukraine
manchestereveningnews.co.ukIt’s been over a week since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. In that short period of time, Ukrainian families have lost their homes, their communities and their lives.
Ignoring agreed ceasefires and warnings from world leaders, President Putin’s onslaught continues with no end in sight. READ MORE: Emotional moment Ukrainian man completes 45-mile run for family back home as protesters cheer in Piccadilly Gardens At an event organised by the Ukrainian Cultural Centre 'Dnipro' Manchester group, hundreds of people gathered in Manchester city centre on Saturday (March 5) to send a powerful message of love and support to Ukraine.
Speakers told crowds 'the world has woken up' and declared 'long live Ukraine', while people chanted 'Stop the War, Stop Putin' with flags, banners and placards before breaking out into song in unity. “It is important that so many people showed up in Manchester today,” Andrey Smolenko, volunteer at the Cultural Centre and admin of the UK Ukraine group, told the M.E.N. "If this situation were to happen in Manchester, it would be amazingly important to know that there was someone out there that was helping, supporting and protesting for us. “It is about keeping people’s spirits high and showing up when it is most needed. “Ukraine is at the frontier of the fight against Putin and his military machine right now. “The rest of the world is able to have a peaceful night, but if Ukraine loses this fight then it is only a matter of time before he goes further.” Amongst those in the crowd were Ethi, Sam, Lexi and Isabelle Wilson, a young family from Timperley. “I’m half-Ukrainian and we can’t sit back and do nothing,” Ethi said. “It’s really hard to help when you're so far away but what we can do is show
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