Hundreds of Normans are once again demonstrating their solidarity with the Ukrainian people on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March. From Caen to Rouen, via Bayeux and Utah Beach, an overview of these gatherings.
Yellow and blue. Whether on a bouquet of flowers, a piece of clothing or a drawing, hundreds of people displayed the colors of the Ukrainian flag this weekend, throughout Normandy.
200 people in Bayeux
–
Around noon, everyone marked a minute of silence in support of the Ukrainian people and the civilian victims of the war. Symbolically, Patrick Gomont, mayor of Bayeux, wanted to organize this rally on the Place de la Liberté:
Bayeux, the first liberated city in France, which also suffered the occupation and we saw the exodus of populations in 1944. We are very attached to these values of democracy and freedom so this gathering seemed essential to us.
Patrick Gomont
Mayor of Bayeux
–
For the occasion, a class of CE2 had drawn a banner of doves, a symbol of freedom and “pto support Ukraine”, says an 8-year-old student. “It was very important to her, she saw a lot of images of unhappy children and she wanted to be there today”explains his mother.
–
More than 100 people at Utah Beach
–
Speeches, a minute of silence and laying of flowers… In all, a hundred people gathered in front of Utah Beach.
This gathering was initiated by the town hall of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont as well as the Landing Museum. “It is a symbolic place to say that we are thinking of the Ukrainian people because the Normandy region has also been marked by war, bombings, civilian losses…”, explains Séverine Diaz, director of the Utah Beach Museum.
–
500 people in Rouen
They had agreed to meet at 3 p.m. In front of the Rouen town hall on Saturday, hundreds of people responded to an appeal launched by multiple organizations such as the human rights league, the FSU, Solidaires…
The procession traveled through the city center before ending in front of the courthouse with a banner at the head: “Stop the war in Ukraine“.
A gathering at the Caen memorial
This Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m., a new rally will be held in Caen. It will take place this time in front of the Caen Memorial, on the General Eisenhower esplanade. A Ukrainian flag will be hoisted in the presence of many elected officials.
The Mémorial de Caen has also opened a livre d’or to collect testimonies of support for the Ukrainian people. It comprises “dhe messages of friendship, solidarity but also sadness, a lot of dejection, the world is flabbergasted by what is happening in Ukraine”explained Stéphane Grimaldi, Director of the Caen Memorial, during a special broadcast on France 3 Normandy.
–
