thousands of people in solidarity with Ukraine
The organizers evoke up to 5,000 demonstrators. The 3,000 initially announced seem more realistic. In any case, mobilization in Luxembourg to oppose Russian aggression against Ukraine continues to swell.
The meeting was set for this Saturday afternoon on Place Clairefontaine. At the call of the Platform for Peace and Solidarity and the LUkraine association, several thousand people came to demonstrate against the war that has been raging for 10 days in Ukraine. In all, 51 civil society organizations mobilized to join the demonstration this Saturday.
Shortly before 3 p.m., Place Clairefontaine was already almost full. As the demonstration progressed, several hundred people joined the crowd. In the end, people overflowed in the direction of Place Guillaume-II.
Putin, the major target
The organizers initially revealed the number of participants at 3,000 people. At the end of the demonstration, the figure of 4,000 to 5,000 was put forward. Certainly a bit exaggerated, but in any case, the mobilization was much larger and above all more peaceful than the rallies organized during December and January by the anti-vaccination and anti-restriction movement.
Several speeches were made from a stage set up not far from the statue of Grand Duchess Charlotte, the symbol of Luxembourg’s resistance during the Second World War.
On the placards and in the words, the aggression of Ukraine by the Russian armed forces was harshly condemned. Russian President Vladimir Putin was particularly targeted. He was called a war criminal and compared to Adolf Hitler.
“No-fly zone”, songs and parade
At the same time, calls for peace, for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops and a return to the negotiating table are increasing. The president of LUkraine, the association of Ukrainians living in Luxembourg, repeated the demand to set up a “No-fly zone” in the Ukrainian sky without delay. So far, NATO has refused to go down this path, fearing the outbreak of a generalized conflict in Europe.
The event ended with a song To imagine by John Lennon, sung by the crowd, as well as the national anthem of Ukraine.
Several hundred people then marched through the streets of downtown Luxembourg. Peacefully. And with emotion.