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Ukraine crisis: Defiant protesters plan large rally Ukraine crisis: Thousands challenge protest ban in Kiev
(about 1 hour later)
Ukraine's pro-EU demonstrators are preparing for a big rally in Kiev - in defiance of recently adopted laws aimed at curbing public protests. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian pro-EU demonstrators have gathered in the capital Kiev in defiance of new laws aimed at curbing public protests.
Three main opposition leaders are hoping for a big show of support in the capital's Independence Square. Demonstrators braved freezing temperatures to pack into the city's Independence Square after calls from opposition leaders.
The laws were passed on Thursday with a quick show of hands by MPs loyal to President Victor Yanukovych. The laws were passed on Thursday with a quick show of hands by MPs loyal to President Viktor Yanukovych.
The opposition said the move was illegal, accusing Mr Yanukovych's ruling party of a coup. The opposition accused Mr Yanukovych's ruling party of a coup.
President Yanukovych has since signed the bills into law. The president signed the bills into law soon afterwards.
The US and top EU officials have expressed deep concern over the new legislation.
Action plan demand
The rally is due to start at 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on Independence Square - widely known as the Euromaidan.
The opposition leaders are hoping that many thousands will again flood the square - which was the case during eight previous Sunday demonstrations.
There were scuffles between pro-EU protesters and Yanukovych supporters in Kiev on Saturday, and there are fears of further violence on Sunday.
The opposition leaders are also under huge pressure to come up with an action plan, amid criticism from many activists that the opposition has been too passive.
The protesters have been camping out behind extensive barricades on the Euromaidan for nearly two months in the freezing cold.
The mass demonstrations were initially triggered by President Yanukovych's last-minute rejection of an EU deal under heavy pressure from Russia in November.
The protesters' demands later widened to include the fight against what they said was widespread government corruption and abuse of power.
'Coup d'etat'
On Thursday, MPs from Mr Yanukovych's Party of the Regions, together with the communists and a number of independents, rushed through parliament a set of laws amid scenes of chaos in parliament.
The measures were adopted in a matter of minutes when lawmakers simply raised their hands, rather than the usual system of electronic voting.
Opposition deputies had earlier blocked the speaker's platform to try to disrupt the voting.
One of the laws bans any unauthorised installation of tents, stages or amplifiers in public places. It also permits the arrest of protesters who wear masks or helmets, among other restrictions.One of the laws bans any unauthorised installation of tents, stages or amplifiers in public places. It also permits the arrest of protesters who wear masks or helmets, among other restrictions.
Those who violate the law now face a hefty fine or prison.Those who violate the law now face a hefty fine or prison.
Another bill provides a punishment of one year of corrective labour for slandering government officials.Another bill provides a punishment of one year of corrective labour for slandering government officials.
Protests involving more than five vehicles in "Automaidan" motorcades were also banned. This followed such demonstrations outside government offices - including Mr Yanukovych's countryside residence - in recent days. US and EU officials have expressed deep concern at the new legislation.
Party of the Regions MP Oleh Tsariov said the laws were in line with European standards and aimed to prevent further escalation of the political crisis. Action plan demand
Sunday's rally began peacefully after scuffles the previous day between pro-EU protesters and Yanukovych supporters in the city.
Opposition leaders are also under huge pressure to come up with an action plan, amid criticism from many activists that their campaign has been too passive.
The protesters have been camping out behind extensive barricades on the Euromaidan, as Independence Square has been dubbed, for nearly two months.
The mass demonstrations were initially triggered by President Yanukovych's last-minute rejection of an EU deal under heavy pressure from Russia in November.
The protesters' demands later widened to include the fight against what they said was widespread government corruption and abuse of power.
'Illegitimate' laws
Among the laws is a ban on protests involving more than five vehicles in "Automaidan" motorcades. This followed such demonstrations outside government offices - including Mr Yanukovych's countryside residence - in recent days.
Party of the Regions MP Oleh Tsariov said the laws were in line with European standards and aimed at preventing further escalation of the political crisis.
But the opposition said the bills were "illegitimate", saying the pro-presidential MPs had decided to use voting by a show of hands after realising they did not have enough support.But the opposition said the bills were "illegitimate", saying the pro-presidential MPs had decided to use voting by a show of hands after realising they did not have enough support.
Udar party leader Vitali Klitschko condemned the move as a "coup", while Arseniy Yatsenyuk, one of the leaders of the Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party, warned that Ukraine was now bracing for another "wave of protests".Udar party leader Vitali Klitschko condemned the move as a "coup", while Arseniy Yatsenyuk, one of the leaders of the Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party, warned that Ukraine was now bracing for another "wave of protests".
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said shortly after the voting that he was "profoundly concerned by new legislation limiting freedoms". EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said he was "profoundly concerned by new legislation limiting freedoms".
The move contradicted Ukraine's "European aspirations", he said, and its commitments in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which President Yanukovych abruptly refused to sign in November.The move contradicted Ukraine's "European aspirations", he said, and its commitments in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which President Yanukovych abruptly refused to sign in November.
The European Union and the US expressed deep concern over the measures. Instead, the Ukrainian leader promised to rebuild economic ties with Moscow. Shortly afterwards Russia cut the price of its gas supplies to Ukraine by almost a third and bought $15bn (£9.2bn; 10.9bn euros) in Ukrainian government bonds.
"We believe deeply that the people of Ukraine want to affiliate and want to be associated with Europe and they want to turn in that direction," US Secretary of State John Kerry said. After defeat in the 2004 Orange Revolution, Mr Yanukovych was democratically elected president in 2010. Analysts expect him to stand for office again at the next election, just over a year away.
Are you in Kiev? Are you taking part in the rally? Email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Kiev? Are you taking part in the rally? Email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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