The Restore Nature Now march brought together around 60,000 people, making it the largest nature conservation event of the year in Britain. On June 22, activists marched through the central streets of London from Park Lane to Parliament Square. For the first time, a Ukrainian column organized by UAnimals and Campaign for Ukraine joined the march with the slogan “Together against ecocide in Ukraine.”
Ukrainian activists called for all possible measures to counteract the ecocide being carried out by russian troops in Ukraine, to assist in the investigation of environmental crimes, and to strengthen sanctions against the aggressor country.
About 350 organizations joined the event to urge the British government to work harder towards biodiversity protection. Among the activists’ demands were to combat climate change, expand protected areas, and establish stricter regulations for companies that pollute the environment.
Many participants dressed in bright costumes with forest motifs, while others wore national costumes or outfits representing whales, birds, bats, bees, other animals, and even plants. The Red Brigade performed a play highlighting the vulnerability of nature.
Upon reaching Parliament Square, a rally was held. Chris Packham, a well-known presenter and author of nature programs who proposed the March, said: ‘The mission from the start was to bring all of these groups together so that they focus on their similarities and forget about their differences.’
Let’s spread the word about the crimes against nature in Ukraine — to stop them, people need to know about them!
#StopEcocideUkraine
Photographer: Daria Agafonova.
