Ukrainian Rally Took Place in Toronto

at Yonge-Dundas Square

By Justine Lewkowicz

and Associated Press

A “EuroMaidan” rally was held in Toronto December 15 as a show of support for the anti-government protests currently happening in Ukraine. It took place at the Yonge-Dundas Square at 3 p.m.

People were asked to come out wearing blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

“Stand proud ... and show the world that we support human rights, freedom, and democracy in Ukraine,” - said the event poster.

Meanwhile in Ukraine, the opposition demonstrators were heading for yet another major rally in the centre of Kyiv while government backers were gathering nearby for their own demonstration.

Tensions remain strong in the now four-week-old political unrest.

The opposition’s confidence has been bolstered in the past week after riot police stood down from two confrontations with protesters and by indications the government was attempting to appease them. The protest camp in downtown Kyiv has expanded in recent days, with a score of large, army-style tents extending hundreds of meters down the street from Independence Square, the centre of the protests.

Opposition rallies on the past two Sundays have attracted hundreds of thousands of people. Backers of President Viktor Yanukovych’s party were also gathering for a counter-demonstration on December 15.