A Derry Anti-War Coalition Rally will be in Derry this weekend.
Under the banner of No to War – Oppose Putin’s Invasion – Stop NATO expansion, the rally will be on Saturday, February 26 at 2 pm at the Diamond War Memorial.
Derry Anti War Coalition representative Davy McAuley said: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a threat to all of us. We urge people to join us on Saturday to oppose Putin’s military invasion.
“We want to send a message of solidarity to the people of Ukraine and urge Russia to withdraw its troops. War is not the solution and threatens the loss of life and tremendous destruction.
“We also want to send a clear message to the British, US governments, the EU and NATO – that they bear responsibility for this crisis.
“NATO’s expansion, supported by Britain, the US and the EU has propelled this conflict. NATO’s expansionist policy is a policy of war that is of no benefit to the vast majority of people.
“The political establishment in Britain, the US and the EU are criticising Putin’s aggression now but these governments are responsible for crimes against humanity and carnage in Afghanistan and Iraq – and they have cheered on Israeli aggression against Palestinians and Saudi terror in Yemen.
“They are in no position to take the moral high ground.
“After the lies about the non-existent weapons of mass destruction we were told about Iraq, we are fed-up listening to spin doctors telling us about their support for democracy, self-determination and how military action is wrong.
“It’s hypocrisy of the highest order.
“It’s also clear the Dail government is breaking with the commitment to neutrality in order to back-up aggressive NATO military expansion.
“Instead, we need to demand that NATO doesn’t escalate the conflict because it will only cause more death and destruction.
“Instead of military action governments should be taking urgent action to end the cost of living crisis that’s putting people into poverty across Europe.
“We urge people to join protests in Derry, across Ireland and across the world to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine; to oppose Putin’s invasion; and to call for NATO’s policy of expansion to end.”
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