Ukrainians in Barcelona call for massive demonstration marking first year of Russian invasion

Coinciding with the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainians are calling for a massive demonstration in the Barcelona city center to remember and honor the victims of "terrible massacres" such as those in Bucha, Borodianka, Izium, and Mariupol.

"All those who are not indifferent to the war," the manifesto reads, are called to take to the streets on Friday 24 at 7:30 pm. The protest will begin in front of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí's La Pedrera at Passeig de Gràcia 90.

The march will then make its way to Plaça de Catalunya square, where Ukrainians will read a manifesto.

The rally is against "Russia's interest in conquering Ukrainian territories, but also in exterminating Ukrainian people."

Since the start of the war on February 24, 2022, "Russian troops have murdered people and made mass graves. They have violated, tortured, and deported innocent people and left children orphaned…" the text continues. 

According to the Ukrainian public prosecutor's office, 69,768 war crimes and attacks have left 461 Ukrainian children dead, 923 injured, 344 disappeared, and 16,207 deported.