At the European Movement and Mayor of London’s UK with Ukraine rally, Anna Bird, CEO of European Movement UK intervened to say:

“Freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, human rights – these are the true values that unite our continent. But just as these fundamental values have their champions, they too have their opponents. That is why we’ve come to Trafalgar Square today, the centre of national democracy and protest. With 100 years of important and necessary acts of protest and solidarity before us. I wish it were not the case but contributing to that legacy of protest is deeply, deeply necessary. So today — we join citizens across Europe to oppose Putin’s aggressive war in Ukraine. Because it cannot be that President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine must put their very lives on the line for the basic right to live in peace. A right we take for granted. The question now asked of us is, will we, as a country stay true to our values and defend the rights of our neighbours? For me, for the European Movement, the answer to this is rooted in our belief that a closer, more united and peaceful Europe is in all of our interests.”

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