On Wednesday August 24, the Ukrainian community of France gathered on the Champ-de-Mars in Paris, to celebrate the 31st anniversary of its independence from the USSR. A date which also marked the six months of the war against Russia. More than a thousand people answered the call. Reportage.
A small tide of yellow and blue flags marched through Paris to the sound of various slogans hostile to Russia and favorable to Ukraine. “Solidarity with Ukraine”, “Russia Terrorist State” were two of the most popular chants by protesters. Several signs to the glory and in support of the Azov battalion were also visible within a procession, mainly composed of women and children.
Several French politicians, but also foreign ones with representatives of Lithuania and Cuba, were present to show the crowd their solidarity with Ukraine.
One of them, Geneviève Garrigos, elected to the Council of Paris in the 20th arrondissement under the label “Paris en Commun”, agreed to answer our questions. For the councilor from Paris, who was also president of Amnesty International France between 2008 and 2016, there is no doubt: “It is absolutely necessary to help the Ukrainians”it’s necessary “arm them, we must support them financially” against Vladimir Putin, who is a bit “like those children who do stupid things and who, as long as they are lectured to but not punished, continue until the day when things go wrong”.
Same story from the side of a Ukrainian protester who has lived in France for 21 years and whose family is still present on the spot in kyiv. She calls the Europeans “to commit more visibly and strictly”.
For her, by thus resisting the Russian invasion, “Ukrainians are protecting all of Europe”.
Also questioned about the various accusations leveled against the Ukrainian army, whether it concerns the methods used by the Azov battalion on the Donbass front or the latest Amnesty International report accusing Ukraine of serve its population as a civilian shield, this protester does not want “believe in” and prefers to line up behind the official version of the Ukrainian media.
Geneviève Garrigos, former president of Amnesty International France between 2008 and 2016, is less affirmative. If she recognizes that what is noted in this “report is true”it nevertheless regrets the absence of exchanges between the Ukrainian government and Amnesty International prior to its publication.