MEMBERS of Reading’s Ukrainian community were joined by those showing their support when they took part in a peace rally on Saturday.
Matt Rodda MP and the mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, joined attendees in marching from the Broad Street Mall to Forbury Gardens in a show of solidarity with the people of Ukraine, one year on from the full-scale invasion of the country by Russia.
The march followed the observation of the minute’s silence on Friday, February 27, when the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre invited residents to mourn those lost in the conflict and pay their respects.
Cllr Eden said: “A year on from the full-scale invasion it’s more important than ever to stand with our Reading’s Ukrainian community, both long-standing and newly arrived.
“Ukrainians are fighting for the rule of law, democracy and the freedom to determine their own path. Reading will be home to our Ukrainian guests as long as they need it and as Mayor I wanted to pass on to them the support they have from across Reading.”
Mr Rodda said: “It was an honour to be able to show my support for Ukraine and to take part in the march and rally in Forbury Gardens.
“This was a very powerful and moving event, which demonstrates the enormous support for the Ukrainian people from residents in Reading and Woodley.
“I was pleased to be able to take part, together with the Mayor of Reading and other local people who came to show their support.”
All pictures by Dijana Capan, DVision Images.
