More than 500 individuals gathered for a solidarity rally with Ukraine in Edinburgh, commemorating the second anniversary of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The initiative “Ukrainian Victory Campaign” alongside local activists, organized a demonstration “United for Ukraine – Together to Victory” near the Consulate General of Russia in Edinburgh on February 24, 2024.
This initiative brought together hundreds of people from various parts of Great Britain in the heart of Scotland to protest against Russia’s ongoing acts of terrorism in Ukraine since 2014.
The organizers of the protest articulated a demand for the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh and the deportation of Russian diplomats who bolster Russia’s terrorist regime.
Activists also urged local authorities to increase financial and military support for Ukraine during the Russian aggression, including the provision of more weapons and drones to assist the Ukrainian military on the front lines.
A distinct segment of the demonstration was dedicated to advocating for the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, who are unlawfully held captive by Russian authorities in violation of international humanitarian law.
The event was attended by representatives from various communities and political associations, including Steven, the leader of the youth wing of the Scottish National Party (SNP), who has previously assisted the Ukrainian community in organizing actions against Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Representatives from the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign Scotland, as well as members of the Scottish Green Party and the Radical Independence Campaign, were also present at the rally.
Representatives from the AUGB Edinburgh Ukrainian Club and the Ukrainian Consulate in Edinburgh emphasized the need for further support for Ukraine. Among the participants were volunteers from the “Edinburgh Spiders” organization, which produces camouflage nets for the Ukrainian army and Shevchenkophilia, actively engaged in fostering events that promote Ukrainian culture in Scotland.
During the protest, the Edinburgh community observed a moment of silence in memory of Ukrainians who perished at the hands of Russian terrorists during the war. Activists erected a makeshift memorial near the Russian Consulate, listing the names of Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers who sacrificed their lives during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The protest saw the participation of representatives from various political parties and communities, including Paul – a member of SNP, activist and volunteer. It is not the first year he has been supporting Ukrainians in Edinburgh, engaging in initiatives in solidarity with Ukraine. Speaking at the solidarity rally, he emphasized the threat that the Russian war in Ukraine poses to the security of all of Europe.
” I think that Ukraine is basically fighting World War III for us and all the brave Ukrainians putting their lives for the rest of us in Europe. And if we don’t stand up to Putin, then we’re going to have World War III on the shores of the UK and Scotland and, you know, I just believe that we need to be here and support Ukrainians that are giving up their lives for us and their livelihoods,” Paul asserted.
He also highlighted the challenges of supporting Ukraine amidst competing global crises, such as the events in Palestine.
“I think it’s very difficult to support Ukraine now because of Palestine, so everyone is very focused on Gaza. And we mustn’t forget that every day there are men and women in Ukraine putting their lives on the line. So we need to get more stories out of this. We need to get more press coverage. It’s good today that we’ve got an amazing turnout of over 500 people here and we need to see more and more events. We need to remind people to keep Ukraine in their hearts every day. ,” Paul emphasized.
During the protest, refugees from Hong Kong joined to express solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and to protest against dictatorial regimes. Timothy, a refugee from Hong Kong, stressed the importance of standing together against dictatorship.
“I have experienced dictatorship all my life, and I believe Ukrainians face similar fears. It’s vital for us to stand in solidarity to demand democracy, humanity, and justice,” he stated.
Representatives of the Polish diaspora also attended the protest, affirming their unwavering support for the Ukrainian people despite provocations on the Polish-Ukrainian border. They expressed solidarity with Ukrainians in their fight against Russian aggression.
Additionally, at Edinburgh Castle, representatives of the Scottish government joined the Ukrainian diaspora in Great Britain to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the Russian war, laying wreaths at the Scottish National War Memorial.
The organizers of the event, Ukrainian Victory Campaign, expressed hope that the protest would amplify the voices of Ukrainians to the governments of Scotland and Great Britain on the second anniversary of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. You can support their cause by filling out the form at the provided link.
Scotland responded swiftly to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by implementing the ‘A Warm Scots Future’ strategy. Through the Supersponsor Scheme, the Scottish Government provided sanctuary to over 25,500 Ukrainians, offering temporary and longer-term accommodations. To address housing challenges, hotel rooms and chartered ships were utilized. Additionally, a £50 million fund supported the construction of 671 homes by August 2023, accommodating 948 displaced individuals. Despite a temporary pause in the Supersponsor Scheme since July 2022, Scotland’s commitment to supporting and integrating Ukrainians remains evident.
