Four years after the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, hundreds of people in Bavaria expressed a visible sign of solidarity. In Munich and Nuremberg, participants of the actions reminded of the war victims and simultaneously called for further aid to the attacked country.
Demonstrators called the date a black day
On the stage at Marienplatz, it was impossible not to notice posters with portraits of Ukrainian soldiers. These young people are either missing in action or have died. In front of this display, according to police information, about 800 people gathered to declare their support. Many draped Ukrainian flags over their shoulders; the rally participants even withstood the rain. People stood shoulder to shoulder, some with tears in their eyes. For peace, for Europe, for freedom. Many called this period a black day.
The event began with an ecumenical prayer. In their speeches, representatives of local self-government and activists recalled the suffering of the last four years. Live Ukrainian music also sounded. Families, youth, and refugees who have now found a new home in Munich stood nearby. Among them was 18-year-old Alyona: I was not as strong as the people in Ukraine who live there. They experienced such strong stress, but still somehow continued to live, the girl shared.
The organizers — an international team of Ukraine supporters — demanded the strengthening of humanitarian and military aid. From the stage, focus was placed on the fact that Ukrainians are protecting their — and our — freedom and democracy. One of the organizers was Valentina de Maar. We feared that we would lose precious time. That Ukraine would not receive sufficiently powerful support. And that Europe would not strengthen its own security quickly enough, because of which in the end we would lose peace and democracy, de Maar emphasized. Again and again, calls sounded designed to inspire hope. We do not give up, proclaimed one of the speakers, and those present repeated her words.
These deaths — it is simply terrible. You stand here and sometimes do not know how to cope with this, shared rally participant Karolin.
A minute of silence and a sea of flags in Nuremberg
In the center of Nuremberg, about 500 people also honored the memory of the victims. The rally, organized by the Union of Ukrainians in Franconia, began with a minute of silence. Then the participants passed through the pedestrian zone with a Ukrainian flag more than 100 meters long.
Clear messages were visible on the banners. The only deal that will work is Putin’s defeat, was written on one of the posters. In the speeches, it was emphasized that Ukraine needs more support to end the war.Source: dpa
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