London Stands with Ukraine: Protesters show support one month on from Russian invasion

26 March 2022, 16:50 | Updated: 26 March 2022, 21:41

Protesters marched to Trafalgar Square to show support for Ukraine
Protesters marched to Trafalgar Square to show support for Ukraine. Picture: Alamy

By Megan Hinton

Thousands of protesters have marched across central London today to show a unified message of support to the people of Ukraine.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, invited Londoners to join together on Saturday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to people across the world to take to the streets to mark one month of the Russian invasion.

On a public invitation, Mayor Khan said the march was an "opportunity to send a unified message of support to the Ukrainian people".

Thousands of people gathered at 2pm on Park Lane and made their way to Trafalgar Square, which was dressed in the Ukrainian colours yellow and blue for the vigil.

Read more: Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins' death 'could be drugs-related' police say

Read more: Kremlin hints at retreat as Russian commander 'killed by own troops'

Thousands gathered for the 'London Stands with Ukraine' march
Thousands gathered for the 'London Stands with Ukraine' march. Picture: LBC

The march from Park Lane saw swathes of people heading to Piccadilly Circus, where Yoko Ono’s ‘IMAGINE PEACE’ artwork, commissioned by CIRCA in collaboration with Serpentine, was on display at the Piccadilly Lights.

Chants of "we stand with Ukraine" rang out as traffic behind was brought to a standstill.

Crowds held banners reading "stop (Vladimir) Putin's war", "no fly zone" and "solidarity with Ukraine" and sang as police officers followed.

Once demonstrators arrived at Trafalgar Square, cheers rang as a message from Mr Zelenskyy was played on a huge screen in front of Nelson's Column.

Protesters carried placards in a stand against Putin's invasion.
Protesters carried placards in a stand against Putin's invasion. Picture: LBC

Mr Khan and the Ambassador of Ukraine, Vadym Prystaiko, were among who gave speeches at Trafalgar Square.

Mr Prystaiko told the crowd: "I urge you to keep up the good work, the military and humanitarian aid.

"The sanctions must continue until the Russian economy has stopped in its tracks."

Poetry was also read out by Oscar-winning actress Dame Emma Thompson, who was draped in a Ukrainian flag, and Skins star Kaya Scodelario.

Ukrainian refugees who have fled the war-torn also spoke at the vigil.

Read more: P&O ship deemed 'unfit to sail' and detained for 'staff training failures'

Read more: Rishi Sunak's wife 'gets £12million in dividends' from company still operating in Russia

Sadiq Khan on London Stands with Ukraine march

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko told protesters to "keep together" with Ukraine.

Mr Klitschko, a former world heavyweight boxing champion, speaking from a military bunker, told the crowd: "We defend right now the same principles.

"Please keep together with our country, keep together with Ukraine."

London Stands With Ukraine March And Rally
London Stands With Ukraine March And Rally. Picture: Getty
Thousands filled the streets of London to show their support
Thousands filled the streets of London to show their support. Picture: Alamy

Speaking to LBC ahead of the march, the London Mayor said: "I am really proud of the actions of Londoners over the last few days and weeks.

"Helping the people of Ukraine in their darkest hour, not just by donating money but by opening their homes to Ukrainian refugees.

"It is really important over the coming days and weeks that we open our arms to those fleeing Ukraine but it is also important that our government makes it far far easier than it currently is.

"It can't be right that it's so difficult for those refugees fleeing Ukraine to come to London. The good news is, we as a city say loudly and clearly refugees are welcome here."

Refugees are welcome in London says Sadiq Khan ahead of Ukraine march

Despite showing his support at the event, Mr Khan later told Sky news that he would not be taking in a Ukrainian family.

"We personally won't be for a variety of reasons not least protections, security reasons and lack of space," he said.

David Lammy joined Sadiq Khan at the event
David Lammy joined Sadiq Khan at the event. Picture: Alamy

He continued: "It is important throughout the next few days, weeks to make it far, far easier, and much more easier for those who are fleeing Ukraine to come here.

"You compare our Government's actions versus the actions of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, it's embarrassing.

"We've got be doing much more."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

David Lammy

Foreign Secretary to meet US officials in Washington as Trump mulls over strikes against Iran

Heavy rush hour traffic on M25 motorway in Surrey

99% of UK population breathing in toxic air as 30,000 deaths to be linked in 2025

One in five academics on both sides of the political spectrum do not feel free to teach controversial topics, a survey has found as England's higher education watchdog issued guidance on how institutions can protect freedom of speech.

20% of UK academies do not feel free to teach controversial topics, as new report issues guidance on free speech

Older people say they are being "bombarded" by campaigns for funeral services, care homes and mobility aids by "out-of-touch" mainstream advertising, a study has found.

Older people being ‘bombarded’ by ads for funeral services and care homes by ‘out-of-touch’ marketing firms, study finds

Steam and exhaust rise from different companies on a cold winter day.

UN scientists warn it is ‘crunch time’ to avoid further global warming as climate policies ‘moving in wrong direction’

Exclusive
Waste water flows out of an outflow waste water pipe into the river in Devon UK

Water company fines will be used to clean up rivers, lakes and seas, government confirms

Energy bill discounts of £150 will be extended to another 2.7 million households to help with fuel costs next winter.

Millions more households to get £150 energy bill discounts as government extends scheme to help with fuel costs

‘I like to make decisions at the last second': Trump continues to mull US strike but suggests Iran could visit White House

‘I like to decide at the last second': Trump continues to mull US strike but suggests Iran could visit White House

A bag from Primark, found in the Weija Ashbread landfill, an older textile dump site sited on the Densu river, upriver from the protected wetlands, outside Accra, Ghana.

'This is dangerous': Discarded clothes from UK brands including Next, Asda and M&S found in protected Ghana wetlands

School crossing lollipop sign

Lollipop man ordered to stop high-fiving crossing children

Dame Diana Johnson said “there is absolutely no place for violent, misogynistic and harmful content online”, after several MPs urged the Government to expand the definition of “extreme pornographic images”.

‘No place for violent content online,’ says policing minister in pornography ban pledge

Missing Jay Slater witness found 'holidaying' in Tenerife as inquest hears Jay, 19, died with alcohol in his system

Friend of missing Jay Slater witness reveals details of 'two knives' carried by teen on the night he died in Tenerife

Devastating new footage has emerged showing the lone survivor of the Air India plane crash carrying the coffin of his younger brother, who died in the fatal disaster.

New video shows heartbreaking moment lone Air India survivor limps as he carries brother’s coffin at funeral

Claire Boyd underwent surgery in a bid to address a long history of abdominal pain

Family walks out of inquest after coroner rejects malnutrition in hospital death

Inquests into the deaths of the women, who were both born in Pakistan but lived in Maltsby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, were opened on Wednesday.

Sisters drown in pools on popular Snowdonia route, inquest told

A police cordon blocking the inside lane of the northbound carriageway on the M1 motorway near Bucknalls Lane overpass in Hertfordshire, where a man's body was found by road workers on Monday.

Horror crash sees M1 closed 'in both directions' with emergency services including air ambulance in attendance