Ukraine War – Demos in Cologne and Düsseldorf: NRW shows solidarity with Ukraine
Rallies in many cities
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NRW sets signs of solidarity with Ukraine
Düsseldorf/Cologne The start of the street carnival was replaced by protests against the Ukraine war in some NRW cities over the course of Thursday. In Cologne, several hundred people took to the streets in the afternoon, and a spontaneous demonstration took place in Düsseldorf in the early evening.
After the Russian attack on Ukraine, hundreds of people gathered in many cities in North Rhine-Westphalia to express their protest – and their solidarity with those affected. In Cologne, a rally took place on Neumarkt in the early afternoon, to which the Ukrainian actress and singer Mariana Sadovska had called. “I know it’s carnival. But it’s not the time to celebrate. We all want to put our life energy into anger and indignation about Putin – and then celebrate together again when there is peace,” said the musician of the “Kölnische Rundschau”. Another demo under the motto #standwithukraine was to take place at Cologne Central Station.
A solidarity rally with many top politicians was also spontaneously organized in Düsseldorf. The rally, which started at 5 p.m. on Schadowplatz, was registered by the Ukrainian school association Ridne Slovo. Around 700 people took part, including NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) and Düsseldorf Mayor Stephan Keller (CDU). Wüst said all Democrats are united today in appealing to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. The SPD’s top candidate for the state elections, Thomas Kutschaty, spoke of “one of the blackest days in European history”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military operation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions on Thursday night.
Wüst had already emphasized North Rhine-Westphalia’s solidarity with Ukraine on Twitter in the morning. “Russia brought the war back to Europe. We condemn the attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms,” wrote the North Rhine-Westphalia head of government. “The world community must now respond unequivocally and clearly.”
Vice Prime Minister Joachim Stamp (FDP) also expressed his dismay at Russia’s attack on Ukraine. “It is a breach of international law and calls our post-war European order into question. A horrific deterioration in the situation,” said Stamp. “In general, North Rhine-Westphalia always shows solidarity with people in need.”
In a statement, Kuchaty emphasized that NRW also assumes responsibility for the humanitarian consequences of the war. “Of course, people in need need our full support. Together and as one, we stand by their side.”
In addition to the demonstration in Düsseldorf, other meetings in North Rhine-Westphalia have been registered. According to a local dpa reporter, the first demonstrators carrying Ukrainian flags or banners arrived in front of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn around noon. A rally was planned there, as well as in Düsseldorf, for 5 p.m. Another war envisaged there in front of the Old Town Hall.
The diocese of Münster invited everyone to light a candle every evening at 6 p.m. and place it in the window. “After the terrible events in Ukraine, the attack by Russia, we want to send a clear signal for peace and for our solidarity with the people of Ukraine,” the diocese said. There was also an invitation to an ecumenical prayer for peace in the Überwasserkirche on Thursday evening.
Here is the photo gallery: Protest in North Rhine-Westphalia against the war in Ukraine