Protest against war in Ukraine was an emotional journey
On Saturday I attended a peaceful protest against the war in Ukraine.
I arrived with my hastily made placard, expecting to stand in the cold for a couple hours and make my powerless protest.
However, I was not prepared for the the emotional journey that unfolded; it was moving beyond words.
Ukrainians wept for their country and their families in the arms of their local UK community, who wept along with them. The pain was tangible.
We listened as grandparents told how they call their children and grandchildren daily, hoping fervently for news of their continued life.
We heard daughters and sons tell how they call their elderly parents in bomb shelters. Bravely, they told how each time they say goodbye, knowing each time may be the last, their hearts break again and again.
They shared that they have apps on their phone to alert when an air-raid siren is happening in the locality of their loved ones. How each ring tone and vibration is a wave of fear and panic. The stories were harrowing, the lived experience, I am sure, even more so.
A child spoke to us, a crowd (seemingly) hundreds thick, she was no more than six; she visibly trembled as she gave words to her pain. A teenager took her place and stood shaking viscerally, as she shared her fear for those she loves.
Those beautiful and articulate souls, too young for such pain, ought not be paying this price. Nor should their far away family.
It was impossible not to weep. My heart hurts. What is this madness?
Our government must do more to give refugees easy and quick access to this country and they must do it soon.
People are looking to us to offer them hope in their time of need; so far, our offer has been shameful. This is the true measure of a country’s decency: we don’t judge Russia by the actions of a madman because we don’t expect better.
But we absolutely should judge the actions of our government. The world is watching. What will they see? CLLR SHARON SLUMAN Adur District Council Mash Barn ward,
Lancing Close, Lancing