The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Demonstrations take place across city to protest against war
Protesters took to the streets of Aberdeen at the weekend to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
Around 70 bikers took part in the Grampian Ride for Ukraine covering more than 100 miles after setting off from the Castlegate.
The organisers aimed to gather donations from motorcyclist enthusiasts to help support refugees coming to the north-east.
A couple of hours later, people assembled around Castlegate waving Ukrainian flags and holding up signs as part of the Women and Mothers of Ukraine protest. The protests took place across Scotland, with groups forming in Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as Aberdeen.
Despite the bright blue skies, it was a cold day in the Granite City, but this did not stop them from singing and standing in solidarity.
Children drew flags and love hearts on the pavement with chalk as their parents chanted “save Ukraine” and “stop Russian bombs”.
Some of the families gathered were forced to flee to the UK after the war broke out.
One of the organisers of the event, Valeriia Semchuk, arrived in Aberdeen with her two sons last month after leaving war-torn Kyiv to be with her mother and sister.
The 39-year-old decided to help organise the Women and Mothers of Ukraine protest. She said: “I’m from Ukraine, I’m a mother, and in Ukraine there is still a war so I didn’t have any choice, it was my duty to.
“We want to show Europe that we need help. Our children have been killed, around 219 children, and this figure is without any from Mariupol – I think it will be terrible figures.”
The bikers travelled through Portlethen, Stonehaven, Banchory, Westhill, Inverurie and Ellon. The group of 70 motorcyclists went down “really well” in each town with kids waving as they passed. “It went well,” organiser Kev Kilgour said upon returning to Aberdeen.