Rally in city centre as crowd shows support for Ukraine
EXPATS AND LOCALS JOIN CONDEMNATION OF RUSSIA
The first time I called my mum on February 24 I’ve never been so terrified. I’m scared about what could happen to older family and I’m outraged that in the 21st century we have a country who can turn on their neighbours. It’s a feeling of complete disbelief
NATALIYA THOMPSON
PEOPLE gathered in Newcastle yesterday in solidarity with those affected by the war in Ukraine.
The crowd could be heard chanting “Say no to war”, “Ukraine needs you” and “You can help” as they held placards and encouraged people to donate to charities providing support to people in Ukraine.
It comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion this week.
By the end of the first day, the Ukrainian government said 137 civilians and military personnel had been killed.
A rally was held at Grey’s Monument in Newcastle city centre yesterday to show support to those affected by the tragic events in the country.
An hour before the rally was due to start at 2pm, around 60 people had already gathered in town, where a separate demonstration was already taking place calling for South Tyneside hospital to be saved.
The Ukraine rally was organised by members of the Facebook group Ukrainians in Newcastle, and the organiser, who asked not to be named, said she was doing what she could to help Ukraine from England.
The organiser, who is currently studying in Newcastle, said: “I’m scared that when I finish uni I won’t have anywhere to go back to and I’m scared about what could happen to my family and friends.
“I’ve never called my family so much in my life.”
She added: Neither Russians or Ukrainians want this. The countries and their people are not bad. I don’t want to stay silent while this is happening.”
Nearly 120,000 people have so far fled Ukraine into Poland and other neighbouring countries amid the Russian invasion, the UN refugee agency said.
Beth, 23, fled from Ukraine three and a half weeks ago after fearing that there could be a war in her country.
She attended the city centre rally to show solidarity for her family and friends who remain in Ukraine.
She said: “At 4am on Wednesday I was woken by a phone call from my friend.
She was shouting and screaming ‘The Russians are here’ and I could hear sirens and bombs going off in the background.
“It was terrifying and I feel so helpless.”
Beth added: “My male friends have been called up the join the military. But they’re not soldiers and they have no military experience. They’re young. They like to party and be free. They’re not people who should have to go to war.”
Nataliya Thompson moved to the UK in January 2015. She returned home to Ukraine for Christmas before returning to her home in Backworth,
North Tyneside on January 9.
She said that when she was in Ukraine people were aware of tensions between Russia and Ukraine but no one expected it to result in war.
The 37-year-old said: “No one expected anything of this scale and no one expected that they would need to put their life on hold. At the time people were more concerned about Covid than Russia.”
She added: “The first time I called my mum on February 24 I’ve never been so terrified. I’m scared about what could happen to older family and I’m outraged that in the 21st century we have a country who can turn on their neighbours. It’s a feeling of complete disbelief.”
Nataliia Sikora, who moved to Newcastle from Ukraine seven months ago for work, also joined the rally at Grey’s Monument today.
She said she has been waking up at 5am every morning to text family and friends in Ukraine to see if they are still alive.
The 27-year-old said: “Every morning I text ‘Are you alive?’ it’s not ‘Are you OK?’ anymore, it’s ‘Are you alive?.’”
She added: “All my family and friends are in shelters or metro stations and my brother is prepping shelter for people who need it.
“It’s a total disaster and a very tense situation but I’m proud of the people in Ukraine.”
Tetiana Bonar joined the rally today as she felt it was the least she could do to show support for her native country.
The 30-year-old, who moved to
Gateshead four and a half years ago, said: “I feel angry and helpless. All of my family are in Ukraine and my brother is helping to train military over there.”
She added: “People are ready to fight and I’m very proud of the people of Ukraine. What we’re doing today is the least we could do to show our support.”
During the rally, Tetiana stood alongside a lady from Russia, who had also joined the gathering in solidarity for the people of Ukraine.
She was one of a number of Russians who attended yesterday’s rally, and she held a sign which read: “I’m Russian I’m against the war”.
Speaking to the Sunday Sun she
said: “I want people to know that not everyone in Russia is supporting what is going on.
“It’s very sad and I’m upset about what has been happening, and for these first few days I’ve felt a lot of anxiety.”
People from the region, as well as other parts of the world, also joined to show solidarity.
Genesis Bravo, who is originally from Venezuela, said: “I’m here to show solidarity with the world – it’s a general act of kindness.
“I have friends who have family in Ukraine and I want to show my support for them.
“If it was my country that was in that position I’m sure they would do the same.”