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Ukraine demonstrations: 'we are asking for a better future' Ukraine demonstrations: 'we are asking for a better future'
(about 17 hours later)
AnyaAnya
It feels a bit weird to call it a peaceful demonstration when we're surrounded by hundreds of police riot forces. However, I've never seen a fight myself and I don't feel it's the demonstrators who are provoking the violence.It feels a bit weird to call it a peaceful demonstration when we're surrounded by hundreds of police riot forces. However, I've never seen a fight myself and I don't feel it's the demonstrators who are provoking the violence.
We are asking for a better future, a country where the rule of law exists and where more than 3 per cent of people trust the police. Unfortunately, not many people understand the protest action plan including myself. At the moment, one of the demands is to free those innocently arrested. So I go to the demonstrations, known as Euromaidan, to support those Ukrainian heroes.We are asking for a better future, a country where the rule of law exists and where more than 3 per cent of people trust the police. Unfortunately, not many people understand the protest action plan including myself. At the moment, one of the demands is to free those innocently arrested. So I go to the demonstrations, known as Euromaidan, to support those Ukrainian heroes.
It is incredibly cold here, but this is the best part of Euromaidan as it shows Ukrainians in their best light. People bring food and drinks to those taking part with some even providing generators to produce electricity. There are more than 1500 volunteers who help prepare and distribute food. The warmness is from the people who are sharing views and willing a brighter future.It is incredibly cold here, but this is the best part of Euromaidan as it shows Ukrainians in their best light. People bring food and drinks to those taking part with some even providing generators to produce electricity. There are more than 1500 volunteers who help prepare and distribute food. The warmness is from the people who are sharing views and willing a brighter future.
I am not sure what will happen to be honest, and it is quite sad. It would be extremely frustrating if people went back to being depressed and not motivated to shape the future of the country. The important thing is that more and more people start being proactive and realising that Europe starts from us.I am not sure what will happen to be honest, and it is quite sad. It would be extremely frustrating if people went back to being depressed and not motivated to shape the future of the country. The important thing is that more and more people start being proactive and realising that Europe starts from us.
ViktoriaViktoria
I've been at the demonstrations from last Sunday until yesterday morning so, unfortunately, I missed yesterday's demonstration. I'm returning this evening to help other demonstrators save Euromaidan as there may possibly be another attempt to destroy it.I've been at the demonstrations from last Sunday until yesterday morning so, unfortunately, I missed yesterday's demonstration. I'm returning this evening to help other demonstrators save Euromaidan as there may possibly be another attempt to destroy it.
From the very beginning, this protest was caused because Ukrainians wanted to join the EU but now there are other reasons and we are now asking for the president and cabinet of ministers to resign.From the very beginning, this protest was caused because Ukrainians wanted to join the EU but now there are other reasons and we are now asking for the president and cabinet of ministers to resign.
Some people have become angry because the government used force to break up the demonstration which resulted in lots of students being injured. There are thousands of police everywhere but we're starting to get used to them.Some people have become angry because the government used force to break up the demonstration which resulted in lots of students being injured. There are thousands of police everywhere but we're starting to get used to them.
The most frightening issue is the cold weather as there is no possibility to stay safe and warm at -15C, especially at night. We drink hot tea, walk around checking the barricades and stand around improvised fireplaces.The most frightening issue is the cold weather as there is no possibility to stay safe and warm at -15C, especially at night. We drink hot tea, walk around checking the barricades and stand around improvised fireplaces.
I will only stop protesting when Yanukovich and the cabinet are gone and Ukraine starts its association process with Europe. I hope everything will be fine as we insist on the demonstrations being peaceful.I will only stop protesting when Yanukovich and the cabinet are gone and Ukraine starts its association process with Europe. I hope everything will be fine as we insist on the demonstrations being peaceful.
AlexAlex
Sometimes I feel brave and proud and sometimes scared or nervous. Action at the demonstrations fluctuates, sometimes it is quiet with people talking and sharing opinions but sometimes a siege is just one step away. I've spent a couple of hours at Euromaidan after work, attended the massive demonstrations on three consecutive Sundays and I also witnessed the riot at Bankova Street on 1 December.Sometimes I feel brave and proud and sometimes scared or nervous. Action at the demonstrations fluctuates, sometimes it is quiet with people talking and sharing opinions but sometimes a siege is just one step away. I've spent a couple of hours at Euromaidan after work, attended the massive demonstrations on three consecutive Sundays and I also witnessed the riot at Bankova Street on 1 December.
Although, the issue has been in the air for a while already, no one knows what the next step will be. A minority say that violence by the government on 20 November, 1 December and 9-11 December will only be counteracted by using violent methods like the siege of president’s administration building. To me this seems like a very minor possibility as the demonstration is generally free of violence and built on a common vision. You see protestors sharing tea near the fire barrels at the barricades, exchanging viewpoints and discussing strategies. The freezing weather has bonded people. Although, the issue has been in the air for a while already, no one knows what the next step will be. A minority say that violence by the government on 30 November, 1 December and 9-11 December will only be counteracted by using violent methods like the siege of president’s administration building. To me this seems like a very minor possibility as the demonstration is generally free of violence and built on a common vision. You see protestors sharing tea near the fire barrels at the barricades, exchanging viewpoints and discussing strategies. The freezing weather has bonded people.
I'm taking part because I'm hurt for being not heard, for my decisions not being considered and my own, or other people’s, freedoms being violated and neglected. I believe a European Ukraine must be built on the foundations of democracy, and I do not think the current Ukrainian government can support this.I'm taking part because I'm hurt for being not heard, for my decisions not being considered and my own, or other people’s, freedoms being violated and neglected. I believe a European Ukraine must be built on the foundations of democracy, and I do not think the current Ukrainian government can support this.
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