The Ukrainian people can count on the support of Toulouse residents. This is the message that Committee 31 of the Peace Movement wanted to convey last night to Jean-Jaurès. This organization was joined by several trade unions, political parties and elected officials from the Capitol, signatories of an appeal for peace and ordinary citizens.
Several hundred people had moved, including several dozen Ukrainians living in Toulouse. Demonstrations of this type were taking place at the same time throughout France.

“It warms the heart”, reacts a Ukrainian woman

“It really warms the heart. It’s a surprise to see that people who have nothing to do with Ukraine came tonight. We were flabbergasted by the scale of Putin’s offensive, which attacked the whole country at once, ”responded Nataliya, a Ukrainian living in Toulouse for several years, and who is organizing a new rally, to Jean-Jaurès. always, this Sunday at 3 p.m.
His family, who live in Lutsk in western Ukraine, are safe and sound at the moment. “But many people parent, the exodus is terrible,” says Iryna, whose parents live in Kiev, the capital. My mother often goes to hide in a cellar in a house opposite her building. It’s unimaginable to see the tanks everywhere, the bombed buildings”.
For Bogdan, 20, who has lived in Toulouse for 10 years and studied mathematics at Paul-Sabatier, “the desire to go and defend the country is there, but it is difficult, everyone is afraid. So the young man does everything to help the Ukrainian people and his family from a distance, and to raise awareness among those close to him in Toulouse.

“My grandparents, uncles and aunts are still there”

“My grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins ​​are still there, everything is fine for now, but the international community must support Ukraine even more and punish Putin severely. »
Martinos, 17, made a large sign “Toulouse supports Ukraine”. This English student, who lives in Colomiers, came with his mother Katrin. “The Russian dictator launched his tanks against innocent civilians, everyone must stand up to defend Ukraine, and Europe must remain united”.
“Putin chose the worst, invading Ukraine for spurious and illegitimate reasons. War destroys lives and opens games that never close,” said Christine Rosemberg, of the Committee 31 of the Peace Movement.
“The bombings have affected civilians, the lives of Ukrainians have been turned upside down,” said Cédric Caubère, the secretary general of CGT 31. In no case should governments go into military escalation. The guns must be silent. »