On March 5, 2022, several thousand people with Ukrainian symbols gather on Freedom Square. Armed Russian soldiers stand opposite them. The people of Kherson watched the news, expected the return of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but decided to show their position right now.
Feeling responsible because of his appeal to come to the square, Serhii Pavliuk approaches the Russian soldiers in the morning of that day. He wants to explain that this is a peaceful rally, people have come to express their position, they do not seek bloodshed. He is illegally detained and taken to the building of the Kherson Regional State Administration. This is when the interrogation begins.
The man is accused of working for the Security Service of Ukraine, of inciting people to go to the streets. The Russians also threaten Pavliuk and his family with physical violence, and, in case of cooperation, offer to take them to Crimea. Ultimately, Pavliuk's passport, phone and power bank were taken away. At that moment, shots are heard in the street. The interrogation ends, Sergey is thrown out into the street. When the doors of the Regional State Administration opens, the man sees a crowd of thousands with Ukrainian flags on the square.
Later it turns out that the shooting started because some guy ran up to the Russian soldiers and allegedly threw something at them. The occupiers twisted him and knocked him to the ground. People rushed to save him, and the Russians began shooting in the air. One bullet ricocheted into the leg of a priest who was at the rally. Luckily, it was just a scratch.
Demonstrators began more and more eager to protest. People shout anti-Russian slogans, sing songs, come closer to the occupiers, express their dissatisfaction with their presence in Ukraine.
At a certain point, it becomes difficult to restrain people. Activists offer to hold a walk of unity: along Ushakova Avenue, Perekopska Street to the Park of Glory. Thus, the protest becomes audible and visible far beyond the borders of Freedom Square. Later it will become a tradition of rallies.
Despite the prohibition to walk in groups introduced by Russians, the people of Kherson show bravery and en masse go to the central square of the city. Residents from all over the city, pensioners, young people, and families with children flock to the rally. During the movement of Russian military equipment, a local man climbs onto the occupiers' armored personnel carrier and unfolds the Ukrainian flag from it on the move.
Footage of the Kherson rally held on March 5, 2022 quickly circulate in Ukrainian and foreign media. After this event, many demonstrators decide to gather on Freedom Square every day. Although daily protests will not be as massive as on weekends.
A wave of rallies will sweep through the cities and villages of the region: Nova Kakhovka, Kakhovka, Gola Prystan, Skadovsk, Novotroitske, Henichesk, Oleshky, Bilozerka and others. People will go out with national symbols, and when they meet with the Russian military, they will demand them to leave.
Kherson. Freedom Square
2022-05-03
