Declaration by the Movement of New Forces of Mykhailo Saakashvili regarding today’s events

The Movement of New Forces of Mykhailo Saakashvili has always adhered to the unshakeable principle of absolutely legal, non-violent opposition intended to encourage Ukraine to move ahead quickly with reforms and finally begin a serious battle with endemic corruption.

Today, during another large-scale, peaceful demonstration by our supporters in the capital of Kyiv and on the Maidan we made a detour to the International Center for Culture and Arts (the former October Palace) in order to support an application by the wives of Ukrainian military servicemen to obtain access to two rooms in the Center to serve as their office and in order to defend their rights as soldiers’ wives and provide care for their husbands. After making this application for office space, we began to head toward the parliament building. However, as has regularly been the case, Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies came out in incredible force and blocked access to the Center all with the apparent intention of provoking a conflict. This conflict then took place, though we immediately called for anyone involved in physical confrontation to withdraw, to leave the massed and masked “berkut,” National Guard and police alone.

Our protest movement, which has increased in popularity quickly over the past several weeks, has always been and will always be peaceful. It is the authorities who are interested in diverting attention away from our rightful demands and provoking a violent conflict. Unfortunately, many people, dismayed by the absence of reforms and widespread corruption which are not being tackled despite more than three years of a war with Russia, are impatient.

“I categorically denounce anyone who tries to seize any buildings, who falls for provocation by the authorities and resorts to force,” says Mykhailo Saakashvili, “We have nothing in common with such people and denounce any such attempts.”

We condemn anyone, whether from the opposition or on the part of the authorities, who uses violence as a provocateur.
Our path is peaceful and it is through peaceful and legitimate opposition activity that we will overcome.

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