Hundreds of people joined the peaceful Rally in the city of Belfast, 25 February, starting at 13:00, at Botanic Avenue and walking to The Belfast City Hall.
Our goals were:
– to remind the world with a single voice of the global Ukrainian community about the 365 days of the awful war, about the violation from russia, a terrorist country, of all possible norms of international law;
– to honour the memory of fallen heroes;
– emphasize on the topic of continuous genocide of Ukrainians in every occupied city and village;
– draw attention to the deaths of the civilian population, including innocent children, women, and the elderly.
– to express our gratitude to the people of Northern Ireland for their hospitality and support.
Most of the participants of the rally were forcibly temporarily displaced Ukrainians – mostly women with children. Also many residents of the Northern Ireland joined to this event.
Thanks to the speakers:
* Councillor Michelle Kelly – Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast.
* Alderman Glenn Barr – Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banrbidge and Craigavon borough Council in 2021-2022.
* MBE Cliff Brooks, respected artist and founder of the Engine Room Gallery.
* Peter Jennings – Ukrainian Aid, Derry.
* Sylwia Menżyk –from team Stop Car.
* John Lester – sponsor, volunteer.
* Inna Shynkevich – the wife of a soldier who fights under Bakhmut.
* Oksana Lazebnik – volunteer, civic activist.
* Peter Emerson – The de Borda Institute, volunteer.
All speakers made their contribution to help Ukraine in 2022-2023 and continue to help us, for which we are infinitely grateful!
During the event the following people received awards from the government of Ukraine:
* Sylwia Menzyk, Milosz Stopka – received award “Volunteer of Ukraine”.
* Peter Jennings – received award “Patriot of Ukraine”.
Special thanks to those who helped with this rally:
* PSNI (Police service of Northern Ireland);
* Northern Ireland Parades Commission;
* Administration of Belfast City Hall;
* Peter Emerson (The de Borda Institute);
* Keith Farnsworth;
* Milosz Stopka & Sylwia Menżyk (StopCar);
* Mags McAlpin;
* Liudmyla Horiachkovska;
* journalists who provided the media coverage;
* members of Ukrainians in Northern Ireland Community Group;
* everyone who joined and supported the peaceful Rally.
Thank you Northern Ireland!
Together we will win!
Glory to Ukraine!