UKRAINE: Ukrainian workers march through central Kiev in support of walkout against the government

Record ID: 341262

  • Title: UKRAINE: Ukrainian workers march through central Kiev in support of walkout against the government
  • Date: 13th February 2014
  • Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (FEBRUARY 13, 2014) (REUTERS) TENTS ON INDEPENDENCE SQUARE DEMONSTRATORS HOLDING RED UDAR OPPOSITION PARTY FLAGS UKRAINIAN FLAG STRIKERS MARCHING HOLDING RED UDAR PARTY FLAGS DEMONSTRATORS MARCHING IN MAIDAN CHANTING "GLORY TO UKRAINE, GLORY TO THE HEROES" DEMONSTRATORS MARCHING PAST STAGE STRIKERS HOLDING BANNERS READING "PAN NATIONAL STRIKE" DEMONSTRATOR
  • Embargoed: 28th February 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA45XB0BI95HAVAVJETIUUWUTKD
  • Story Text: Ukrainian opposition party Udar led by boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko called on workers to walk-out on Thursday (February 13) to demand a return to the constitution of 2004, punishment of those accused of violence against protesters and the establishment of a technical government.
    Workers have been asked to walkout between 1200 and 1300 local time (1000 - 1100GMT) and demonstrate in front of their work places.
    On Thursday morning about 500 Udar supporters and striking workers marched though the streets of Kiev urging Ukrainians to join the strike. At noon (1000GMT) they will return to Independence Square to continue their protest.

    "If now, even after peaceful rallies, after we have called upon Kievians to express their dissatisfaction with complete injustice through a strike, and if they (the government) choose not to hear us this way they will hear us by force because the government only understands force," demonstrator Vladimir Moskal said.
    Protests against the government of Viktor Yanukovich have entered their third month as the political stand-off between the government and the opposition continues and protesters remain barricaded in Kiev's central Independence Square.
    With at least six protesters dead since demonstrations flared up into violence in January, the pressure on Yanukovich is mounting and protesters in Maidan have become increasing more staunch about maintaining their positions and remaining there until Yanukovich steps down.
    The head of the Kiev Strike Committee said he was confident the stand-off would be resolved through peaceful means.

    "I am a big supporter of peaceful means of resolving conflict. So talking about what will happen when we use up all peaceful options, I am not ready for that. I am sure we will be able to solve the situation through peaceful means," Yuri Krikunov said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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