In Pics: From New York to Japan, anti-war demonstrations take over the streets
Protesters turned out on public squares and outside Russian embassies in cities from Tokyo to Tel Aviv and New York on Thursday to denounce the invasion of Ukraine -- while more than a thousand who tried to do the same in Russia were arrested.
Let's take a look:
In Russia, protesters defied an official warning that explicitly threatened criminal prosecution and even jail time for those calling for or taking part in protests. Hundreds rallied in cities including Moscow, St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, chanting slogans such as "No to war!" and holding up makeshift signs. By 1939 GMT, police had detained no fewer than 1,667 people in 53 cities, the OVD-Info rights monitor said. Six hundred were arrested in Moscow alone, the Tass news agency reported.
In Russia, protesters defied an official warning that explicitly threatened criminal prosecution and even jail time for those calling for or taking part in protests.
Hundreds rallied in cities including Moscow, St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, chanting slogans such as "No to war!" and holding up makeshift signs.
By 1939 GMT, police had detained no fewer than 1,667 people in 53 cities, the OVD-Info rights monitor said. Six hundred were arrested in Moscow alone, the Tass news agency reported.
(Photograph:AFP)
The earliest known protest occurred outside Russia's embassy in Washington around 1 a.m. EST (0600 GMT) on Thursday, only three hours after President Vladimir Putin said he had launched his military operation. Local news reports showed dozens of protesters in the U.S. capital waving Ukrainian flags and chanting "Stop Russian aggression!"
The earliest known protest occurred outside Russia's embassy in Washington around 1 a.m. EST (0600 GMT) on Thursday, only three hours after President Vladimir Putin said he had launched his military operation.
Local news reports showed dozens of protesters in the U.S. capital waving Ukrainian flags and chanting "Stop Russian aggression!"
(Photograph:AFP)
At Manhattan's Times Square several hundred protesters were involved in the anti-war protests.
A giant flag was carried through Manhattan's Times Square by a crowd of several hundred protesters.
People also gathered at the Russian mission during a "Stand With Ukraine" rally on February 24, 2022 in New York City. Ukrainians, Ukrainian-Americans and allies gathered to show support for Ukraine and protest against the Russian invasion.
(Photograph:AFP)
Protesters wave Ukrainian flags and gather around the Monument a la Republique as they attend a demonstration called by the Union of Ukrainians in France (Union des Ukrainiens de France) and others associations on Republique square in Paris Talking to Reuters one demonstrator said: "I feel that we are in a very dangerous moment for the whole world."
Protesters wave Ukrainian flags and gather around the Monument a la Republique as they attend a demonstration called by the Union of Ukrainians in France (Union des Ukrainiens de France) and others associations on Republique square in Paris
Talking to Reuters one demonstrator said: "I feel that we are in a very dangerous moment for the whole world."
(Photograph:AFP)
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In Madrid, Oscar-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem, nominated for another Academy Award this year, joined about a hundred protesters outside the Russian embassy. "It is an invasion. ... It violates Ukraine's fundamental right to territorial sovereignty, international law, and many other things," Bardem said.
In Madrid, Oscar-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem, nominated for another Academy Award this year, joined about a hundred protesters outside the Russian embassy.
"It is an invasion. ... It violates Ukraine's fundamental right to territorial sovereignty, international law, and many other things," Bardem said.
(Photograph:AFP)
In London, hundreds of demonstrators, many of them Ukrainian and some weeping, gathered outside Downing Street, home to the prime minister, urging Britain to do more. "We need help, we need someone to support us," said one. "Ukraine is too small and the pressure is too big."
In London, hundreds of demonstrators, many of them Ukrainian and some weeping, gathered outside Downing Street, home to the prime minister, urging Britain to do more.
"We need help, we need someone to support us," said one. "Ukraine is too small and the pressure is too big."
(Photograph:AFP)
A demonstrator holds a sign depicting the Russian President as Adolf Hitler during a protest against Russia's military operation of Ukraine, in front of the Russian embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.
A demonstrator holds a sign depicting the Russian President as Adolf Hitler during a protest against Russia's military operation of Ukraine, in front of the Russian embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.
(Photograph:AFP)
People take part in a rally for Ukraine in front of Ukraine's embassy to Romania in Bucharest
People take part in a rally for Ukraine in front of Ukraine's embassy to Romania in Bucharest.
(Photograph:AFP)
A demonstrator burns her Russian passport during a protest against Russia's military operation in Ukraine, in front of the Russian embassy in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv, Israel on February 24, 2022.
A demonstrator burns her Russian passport during a protest against Russia's military operation in Ukraine, in front of the Russian embassy in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv, Israel on February 24, 2022.
(Photograph:AFP)
An Ukrainian woman holds posters that read "Ukraine is a beatufil country, not for war" and "Chile help Ukraine" during a protest in support of Ukraine in front of the Russian Embassy in Santiago, Chile.
An Ukrainian woman holds posters that read "Ukraine is a beatufil country, not for war" and "Chile help Ukraine" during a protest in support of Ukraine in front of the Russian Embassy in Santiago, Chile.
(Photograph:AFP)
Demonstrators gather in support of Ukraine in front of the Russian Embassy against Russia's military operation in Ukraine, in Sofia, Bulgaria on February 24, 2022.
Demonstrators gather in support of Ukraine in front of the Russian Embassy against Russia's military operation in Ukraine, in Sofia, Bulgaria on February 24, 2022.
(Photograph:AFP)
Demonstrators take part in a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in front of Russia's embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, on February 24, 2022.
Demonstrators take part in a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in front of Russia's embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, on February 24, 2022.
(Photograph:AFP)
People take part a demonstration against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in front of the Russian embassy in Budapest, Hungary, on February 24, 2022. Hungarian candidate for prime minister Peter Marky-Zay also participated in the demonstration.
People take part a demonstration against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in front of the Russian embassy in Budapest, Hungary, on February 24, 2022. Hungarian candidate for prime minister Peter Marky-Zay also participated in the demonstration.
(Photograph:AFP)
Activists hold placards as they gather near the Russian embassy to protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Tokyo on February 25, 2022.
Activists hold placards as they gather near the Russian embassy to protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Tokyo on February 25, 2022.