UNA Shropshire will be running a rally in support of Ukraine and Shropshire-based refugees from 10:30 – 12:30 on 24 February 2023 in the presence of Shropshire’s Lord Lieutenant Anna Turner. There will be a one minute silent vigil at 11:00. The rally will include a visual display and a survey asking people ‘Should the Russian Federation be suspended from the UN ? ‘

It will be held in the main Church Stretton Car Park, across the road from the Coop store, Easthope Road, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6BL

David Oliver, President of United Nations Association Shropshire, said: “365 days of intensive, deadly, destructive and destabilising aggression against the sovereign territory and people of Ukraine by the Putin driven Russian Federation must end. The more free world must commit all that is necessary to secure a just peace which gives no ground to the aggressor. We shall welcome all in support of a just peace and especially our King’s representative, Shropshire’s Lord Lieutenant Anna Turner.”

John Crowe, Coordinator of UNA Shropshire said “As most people appreciate, this war will end sometime but a just peace must be secured soonest. The human costs in so very many lost, wasted lives, bereft families, a ocean of displaced humans, and vast community devastation demands an end to this violent aggression.

“Alongside the enormity of the human costs across Ukraine, the destruction to the pacific ‘world order’ and ‘international normality’ stalks all our futures in too may theatres. An audit of the UN’s 77 years would show some success in conflict avoidance and peace settlements yet also, way too much failure which darkens our news feeds almost constantly. I should say ‘The UN delivers in part but, nowhere near good enough because the UN charter’s first obligation to maintain peace and security is found to be wanting – repeatedly in Ukraine right now and elsewhere too’. This realisation gives rise to people asking if the UN should be reformed or replaced ?

“Our present concentration must be to secure end to this war in Europe and support all those impacted. Our history is being written each day !”

Further information: John Crowe, 07851 760443, unashropshire.org.uk