War anniversary: ​​Barcelona shows its support for the Ukrainian people with a demonstration

• Multimedia report | War in Ukraine: summary of a year of Russian invasion

“PEACE”. In capital letters. This is what most of the posters of the several hundred people who have gathered this Friday in front of the European Parliament Office in Barcelona on the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine say. p>

They wear yellow scarves, blue jackets, signs in English, Spanish and Ukrainian, flags… A simple gesture of solidarity that the organizers of the rally in support of the Ukrainian people had requested. “We want to ask you a big favor! Bring something blue and/or yellow to the demonstration. These are the colors of our flag and we want to generate a group effect”, says the call of the Association of Ukrainians in Barcelona.

The demonstration has begun at 7:30 p.m. in front of La Pedrera and has marched along Passeig de Gràcia to  Plaça Catalunya, where around 8:30 p.m. An act will be held at which a manifesto will be read.

“ What more must terrorists destroy for the world to help us? How many more must Russia kill? ”, reads one of the posters. Those present, mostly Ukrainians, embrace each other as they meet. Also when reading the signs.

Europe united, will never be united. expired

The rally began with the display of a huge Ukrainian flag of tens of meters that they have carried among hundreds of participants down the street. Ahead, a large banner that reads “Barcelona with Ukraine” it cut through Passeig de Gràcia where protesters have paraded chanting “Europe united will never be a peace. expired”.

“Nobody thought of it. I knew it would last so long. That such a brutal war could happen in the year 2021. We are hopeful that it will be achieved. peace”, Gloria Groziak, organizer of the demonstration and activist in the Associación de la Paz, told EL PERIÓDICO. d’Amistat de Caralunya i Ucraïna. “Ukrainians will always be grateful for all the help we have received. Barcelona is with Ukraine& rdquor;, he assured.

A day of mourning

”Today is a day of mourning for the Ukrainian people,& rdquor;, assured one of the organizers at the beginning of the act that took place shortly after in the Plaça Catalunya in which the Ukrainian anthem and other patriotic songs were sung.

Catalan and Ukrainian activists intervened during the event to request a minute of silence in honor of the victims.

A total of 60 Catalan entities have signed the manifesto that was read during the event that was attended by the General Consul of Ukraine in Barcelona.