The appointment was given at 7 p.m. This Friday, February 25, more than 600 demonstrators gathered in front of the town hall of Rouen to denounce the Russian invasion in Ukraine since this Thursday. On the facade of the building, the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag were projected. Same thing in Le Havre, where a rally was also held.
Dictator Putin’s decision is unbearable, unacceptable
“We want, by our presence, to express our emotionbegan by saying Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, the mayor of Rouen. Dictator Putin’s decision is unbearable, unacceptable, continued the city councilor who described the Russian invasion as a “moment when history changes.”
– Manon Lombart-Brunel
“It’s a very stressful situation”
“For me it is very important to show our solidarity with the people in Ukraine, with my friends who remained there, she explains Iullia, the Ukrainian flag on the back. It’s a situation that is very stressful for me so this meeting is also to give me the feeling that I can do something.”
After the speech of Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, the ukrainian anthem was launched, followed by loud applause. In the hands of protesters many placards. In particular, we could read “Stop the war” or “Putin terrorist.”
– Manon Lombart-Brunel
“It is heartwarming, says Inna, a Ukrainian living in France for more than two years. At the very beginning I cried because it is very touching. I see that people are aware that it should not be like that. War is not normal.
Normans in solidarity
An opinion shared by Nicolas, a Rouen native who came to support the Ukrainian people: “There are several hundred people here in Rouen. We feel that if there are all these people all over the world, maybe Putin can see these images and stop the war.”
To make this war stop was the dearest wish of many demonstrators this Friday evening. Corn few seemed to really believe it.