- Title: UKRAINE: Ukrainian protesters block main government building
- Date: 2nd December 2013
- Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (DECEMBER 2, 2013) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS MARCHING TOWARDS UKRAINIAN CABINET OF MINISTERS (GOVERNMENT BUILDING) FLAGS FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY SVOBODA, OR 'FREEDOM' POLICEMEN WATCHING VARIOUS OF PROTEST IN PROGRESS FORMER UKRAINIAN INTERIOR MINISTER, YURI LUTSENKO, TALKING ON MEGAPHONE TO PROTESTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Ukraininan) FORMER UKRAINIAN INTERIOR MINISTER, YURI LUTSENKO, SAYING: "The Cabinet of Ministers must go away, and a new life, as well as an economic (life), must start" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING AWAY FROM BUILDING CHANTING 'GLORY TO THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE!' AND 'DOWN WITH THE GANG!' VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SITTING NEAR TRASH BINS AND FLOWER POTS THAT HAVE BEEN USED AS BARRICADES TO PREVENT GOVERNMENT WORKERS FROM PASSING LINE OF PROTESTERS
- Embargoed: 17th December 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Ukraine
- City:
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA2V02HVGAHKUMBLXNIHIP78Y2X
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: About 1,000 protesters blocked off the Ukrainian government's main headquarters on Monday (December 2) in protest at its decision to suspend moves to deepen integration with Europe and to revive economic ties with Russia.
In response to an opposition call for a nationwide strike over President Viktor Yanukovich's U-turn on Europe, protesters gathered outside the cabinet building in the capital Kiev and lined the street with obstacles, including flower pots and rubbish bins, to prevent government workers from getting inside.
Waving political party flags from the far-right Svoboda, or 'freedom' party, and chanting, "Glory to the Ukrainian people!" and "Down with the Gang", protesters listened to former Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuri Lutsenko as he rallied the crowd.
"The Cabinet of Ministers must go away, and a new life, as well as an economic (life), must start," Lutsenko said.
Transport was running smoothly in Kiev, however, despite the strike call.
Witnesses said a pro-Europe rally in Kiev on Sunday attracted about 350,000 people, the biggest protest in the capital since the "Orange Revolution" of nine years ago. Protesters called for Yanukovich to resign. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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