Ellie Abraham
Feb 23, 2023
content.jwplatform.com
In the week that will see the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, activists in London have staged a stunt in support of Ukraine directly outside Russia’s embassy.
The large public stunt saw activists from the British political campaign group, Led By Donkeys, paint a huge blue and yellow Ukrainian flag on the road outside the Russian embassy on Bayswater Road near Hyde Park.
It comes just the day before the one-year anniversary of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, which the Russian state repeatedly claimed was a “special military operation”.
An image of the painted road was shared on Twitter by Led By Donkeys with a second tweet explaining why they took the action they did.
They wrote: “Tomorrow is the first anniversary of Putin’s imperialist invasion of Ukraine, an independent state and a people with every right to self-determination. The existence of a massive Ukrainian flag outside his embassy in London will serve to remind him of that.”
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\u201cTomorrow is the first anniversary of Putin\u2019s imperialist invasion of Ukraine, an independent state and a people with every right to self-determination. The existence of a massive Ukrainian flag outside his embassy in London will serve to remind him of that.\u201d— Led By Donkeys (@Led By Donkeys) 1677147982
In another video posted by the group, activists could be seen wheeling wheelbarrows that contained bags of paint. Yellow and blue paint was then tipped on the road while other activists used brooms to spread it across the tarmac.
\u201cSolidarity with Ukraine \u270a\n(Russian Embassy, London)\u201d— Led By Donkeys (@Led By Donkeys) 1677156035
One person commented: “Top trolling… even by The Met vehicles.”
\u201cTop trolling\u2026 even by The Met vehicles \ud83d\ude36\u201d— DR PC_Angry PHD QC \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@DR PC_Angry PHD QC \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1677154709
Another said: “It won't win the war, but nevertheless brilliant.”
\u201cIt won't win the war, but nevertheless brilliant.\u201d— Mark Sennen (@Mark Sennen) 1677154570
Someone else praised: “Great work.”
\u201cGreat work.\u201d— Bella Wallersteiner \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Bella Wallersteiner \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1677152087
Following the incident, the Deputy Political Editor of the Financial Times, Jim Pickard, said he had been informed four participants of the stunt had been arrested.
\u201cam told four participants in this stunt are currently at Charing Cross police station having been arrested\u201d— Jim Pickard (@Jim Pickard) 1677150413
This appeared to be confirmed by Kensington & Chelsea Police, who tweeted: “At 08:45 today officers attended Kensington Palace Gardens, where paint had been thrown on the highway.
“Four people, three males and one female, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and obstructing the highway. They remain in custody.”
\u201cARRESTS IN KENSINGTON: At 08:45 today officers attended Kensington Palace Gardens, where paint had been thrown on the highway.\n\nFour people, three males and one female, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and obstructing the highway.\n\nThey remain in custody.\u201d— Kensington & Chelsea Police (@Kensington & Chelsea Police) 1677151592
indy100 has contacted Kensington & Chelsea Police for comment.
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