Myron Kvas,

entrepreneur 

“People will vacate Kyiv city hall if parliament adopts the law without any conditions. First they should free people who are detained and then the buildings will be vacated.”

Ruslan Andriyko, 

commandant of Kyiv City Hall, Svoboda Party member

“Nobody will leave the building. If the authorities wanted to reach a compromise with us, they would first free the imprisoned protesters and bring those guilty of shedding blood to justice, and only then the building could be vacated.”   

Liudmyla Verbytska, 

pensioner

“For example, nine years ago the building of Kyiv City Hall was given to participants (of the Orange Revolution) by the former mayor so they could find warmth here. This time it was occupied by protesters. Of course, the authorities shouldn’t force them to leave. It’s evident that (this law) is a squeeze play.”

Andriy Karlinskyi, 

reserve officer

“I understand that we are occupying a public building but Kyiv residents are supporting us, just look at the donations they are bringing here. Of course, none of the protesters wants to go to jail for being here, but those who are at the barricades keep on staying there despite brutal crackdowns. This is how the new nation is being born.”     

Ivanna Kukharenko, 

pensioner

“The authorities have to free all who were put in jail illegally first. If we follow their demands, we will all end up in prison. We will stay here until pre-term parliamentary and presidential elections are held. I’ve been here for 71 days already and I am ready to stay more.”