Manchester City Centre came to a standstill today as there was a huge turnout in solidarity with Ukraine one year and one day after the country was invaded by Russian forces. The positivity and togetherness on show through music and chants were emotionally charged as people still feel the pain of parts of their country being under occupation.
Men, women, and children wrapped themselves in the yellow and blue of Ukraine as the flags of Azerbaijan and Hong Kong were also held high in a show of solidarity. More than a thousand are thought to have joined the march from Piccadilly Gardens down Market Street with the huge crowd then gathering around the Queen Victoria statue in Piccadilly Gardens for speeches and songs.
Religious leaders, chairs of the association of Ukrainians in Great Britain groups, and more led the crowd, young and old, as they marked the harrowing milestone of the conflict. These rallies are held every Saturday but this one held extra significance leading to the much larger turnout - with mixed emotions felt throughout.
