A group of Ukrainian and Polish civic activists and volunteers held a three-day demonstration on the streets of Warsaw. It took place in front of the Marriott Hotel where US President Joe Biden was staying, during his visit to Poland.
The participants called for the provision of F-16 fighter jets and an increase arms supplies to Ukraine so that Ukrainian defenders could end the war this year.
People stood in pouring rain with a massive banner with the inscription “Mr. Biden, send F-16 to Ukraine!” to be seen by the US leader.
“There is no climate justice without peace, and peace is only possible after a Ukrainian victory. If leaders like President Biden truly want to tackle the climate crisis, they must do everything they can to end this war as soon as possible. A full oil embargo and sending F16 fighter jets is the first step to bring us all closer to security”.
— shared Viktoria Yedroshkoviak, an activist (Wschód initiative).
On the street where the President’s motorcade passed, there was also a billboard with a video appealing to Mr. Biden to provide fighter jets to Ukraine.
“I spent 11 months in Ukraine and communicated with the commanders of the air forces of the Ukrainian armed forces. Ukrainian pilots are very capable, and they are worthy of our best fighter jets! And I am asking to provide F16 to Ukraine!”
— a US Air Force veteran Mark J. Lindquist, who joined the action, addressed U.S. President Joe Biden.
Before the demonstration, activists held a press conference for the media in the center of Warsaw under a screen that displayed an appeal to President Biden with a similar message.
“I am a human rights defender, anti-war activist, and I am pacifist. And today, in the 21st century, here, in the heart of Europe, I am begging you for real the help — weapons. Because only military support can guarantee peace today. Dear Mr. President, please, send F-16 to Ukraine. In order to win this war, the world has to defeat evil, defeat putin, and defeat russia. There are no other options for bringing peace in the world”.
— said rally co-organizer, Natalka Panchenko (Euromaidan-Warszawa).
The action was organized by Wschód and Euromaidan Warsaw with ICUV.
