A rally and vigil organised by an umbrella group called the Nottingham Ukraine Solidarity Campaign brought together several hundred people on Sunday, March 13 in support of Ukraine and Ukrainians as the invasion by Russian forces continues. Participants remembered all those people in Ukraine, civilians and military personnel, who had passed away. Hundreds of flowers were laid with messages of support to the people of Ukraine.
The focal point was the Council House and the nearby Brian Clough Statue. Mr. Clough was a football legend who used his famously big mouth to speak out in support of those in need.
The speakers included Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) demanding action from the UK government. Nottingham City Council leader David Mellen (@CllrDavidMellen) spoke of how the city is making itself amenable to Ukrainian refugees.
A young Polish Scout spoke of how she is raising money and sending it to Scouts in Poland to buy supplies for incoming Ukrainian refugees. And Irina Holliday (@hollidayIrina), a Russian, called on Russians to rise up against Putin’s dictatorship.
Fans of Nottingham Forest Football Club (@NFFC) also sent a message of support. The previous day saw flags in support of Ukraine at the City Ground, where Forest overcame visitors Reading.
Local man Michael Shkrobot spoke in a rousing speech of the sense of purpose needed in these times, recalling President John Kennedy’s courage in standing up to the Russians during the Cuban missile crisis. Kennedy’s Berlin speech, ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ was special, said Mr. Shkrobot.
A local organization called Open Nottingham (@Open_Nottingham) expressed its support for Ukrainians, especially at local level for those arriving in the county in coming months.
Yuriy Buczok recited a poem written by his mother, Horpyna Kos, which she wrote in 1945 as a young 18-year old fleeing German and Soviet occupied Ukraine. It concludes with the line “each and every one of us is capable of protecting that Glorious, Glorious Ukraine!”
Proceedings ended with the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.