March held in Kyiv to mark first Euromaidan anniversary
KYIV. Nov 21 (Interfax) - A march of dignity to mark the first anniversary of Euromaidan has begun in Mykhailivska Square in central Kyiv. The march is held by the so-called Maidan Self-Defense, an Interfax correspondent said.
Self-Defense commandant Andriy Parubiy told reporters that the march started in Mykhailivska Square because it has become "a spiritual symbol of Maidan."
Commenting on the reasons for the current march, Parubiy said that this year was both tragic and majestic: "there are bright recollections and tragic moments."
"A year ago we went out to protest and in this period of time we were able to go the distance which takes some other nations decades to overcome," he said.
Overall, according to Parubiy, there were 42 hundred Self-Defense activities on Maidan (Independence Square). "There should be around 3,000 of us, the Maidan Self-Defense. We have also invited Kyivans, Automaidan and others who are not indifferent," the Self-Defense commandant said
The current march is not just symbolic: Self-Defense has also put forward its demands for the current authorities, he said. "Our demands are: immediate preparation of a program for Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO, withdrawal from the CIS, help and support for volunteer battalions, immediate completion of the inquiry into the killings in Maidan, more efforts to fight corruption, and completion of the lustration procedure," Parubiy said.
Self-Defense will seek to make sure these demands are met even after this march, as 12 of its fighters have been elected to the national parliament, he said.
Security at the event is being provided by Maidan Self-Defense, its members are guarding public order unarmed, he said.
