Londoners unite to show solidarity for the people of Ukraine

• Thousands to unite in central London for solidarity march and vigil to send a unified message of support to the Ukrainian people
• London heeding President Zelensky’s call for people across the world to take to the streets in support of Ukraine
• The Mayor of London, Ukrainian Ambassador and the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain are among those to speak at ‘London stands with Ukraine’
• Sadiq announces more than £1.1m in funding to support migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum in London

Londoners are joining together in central London this afternoon to send a message of solidarity to the people of Ukraine.

Ukrainian politicians and thousands of Londoners are joining the Mayor of London for a march and vigil to send a unified message of support to the Ukrainian people. The vigil will also hear direct from Ukrainians caught up in the conflict.

‘London stands with Ukraine’ begins with a solidarity march from Park Lane at 2pm. The march will go via Piccadilly Circus, where Yoko Ono’s ‘IMAGINE PEACE’ message, commissioned by CIRCA in collaboration with Serpentine, will be displayed on Piccadilly Lights, before a vigil and speeches will take place in Trafalgar Square from 3-5pm.

It comes after Ukrainian President Zelensky appealed to people across the world to take to the streets in a show of support for Ukraine to mark one month of the Russian invasion.

Trafalgar Square has been dressed in the Ukrainian colours for the vigil, and the crowds will be addressed by UK, Ukrainian and European politicians. The Mayor, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, Hanya Dezyk from the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, the director of the Ukrainian Institute, Olesya Khromeychuk, and chair of London Councils, Georgia Gould, will be among those providing an address. There will also be messages from the Mayors of Brussels, Amsterdam and Athens. Other speakers will include David Lammy MP, Chair of the London Assembly Andrew Boff AM, Sue Fearns, the President of the Trades Union Congress, and Anna Bird, CEO of European Movement.

Sadiq Khan organised the march and vigil to send a send a message of solidarity to the Ukrainian people, and in his speech will announce more than £1.1m in funding to support migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum in London. In addition, the Mayor is providing £50,000 funding to match donations for the Here for Good Ukraine Advice Project. This project will provide specialist immigration advice to Londoners and their families seeking to access the Ukraine Family Scheme and other routes to sanctuary in the UK.

The total funding will improve and expand access to immigration advice through the Frontline Immigration Advice Programme, led by Refugee Action, and the Justice Together Initiative, develop a Migrant Londoners Hub to provide the latest information and links to advice and support services, and improve support to migrant workers in the capital. This will help those impacted by the invasion of Ukraine, as well as European Londoners, the Windrush Generation and those hit by the lack of capacity within the asylum system.

It is the latest in a series of support measures from the Mayor to help migrants navigate the immigration system and settle into our capital. That includes supporting refugees from Afghanistan, helping HongKongers arriving on the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa, supporting European Londoners through the Settlement Scheme and investing in advice services to help others in need of immigration advice.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m proud that today Londoners are uniting in their thousands today to send a message of support to the people of Ukraine. These innocent people have been through unimaginable pain and suffering over the last month, and by joining together today we are showing that we stand with them.

“I’m also pleased to announce that London will be giving more than £1.1m to support migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum in the capital, including those coming from Ukraine. We have a proud history of providing sanctuary to those fleeing conflict, and this funding will ensure that support is there to help in their time of need.”

Dame Helen Mirren said: “It has been devastating to see this horrific ongoing attack against the people of Ukraine, and my thoughts are with them at this terrible time. It’s important that we send a message of support so that Ukrainians know that they are not alone, and I’m proud that the people of London are standing together in their name this Saturday.”

Dame Julie Walters said: “All of our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine at this horrendous time for their country. It’s important that the world unites to show them that they have our support in their time of need, and I’m so glad that London is joining as one to send a message of solidarity loud and clear.”

Tahmid Chowdhury, co-founder of Here for Good, said: “The British people have a strong tradition of supporting vulnerable migrants; for the past four years, we at Here for Good have been proud to play our part too. Most recently, we turned to the public to support us in helping the people of Ukraine in the way we know best: specialist, targeted legal advice that will empower them to begin rebuilding their lives. The Mayor's decision to match the public's generosity is game-changing, and will allow our legal team at Wilson Solicitors to support Ukrainian nationals at an even greater pace and scale."

Hazel Williams, Head of the Justice Together Initiative, said: “This funding is absolutely vital. It will assist organisations across London that are working tirelessly to ensure that people can understand an increasingly complex immigration system and access their rights, which for many is life-saving.”

Anna Bird, CEO of the European Movement, said: "The European Movement believes now, more than ever, that it's time to unite across parties, organisations, faiths, beliefs and backgrounds to condemn this act of Putin's aggression. Our duty is rooted in a belief that a closer, more united and peaceful Europe is in all of our interests. So, I hope you will join us in condemning Putin, expressing solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and participating in a march that is both sadly historic but deeply necessary. I truly think that is the least we can do."

Hanya Dezyk, Board Director of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain said: “We are heartened that Londoners and visitors from across the UK will be joining together in London to send a message of solidarity with the people of Ukraine. It has been incredibly difficult for Ukrainians living in the UK and across the world to see what is happening to our homeland, and the sight of people uniting in the streets in our name gives us hope and strengthens our resolve to fight for Ukraine’s freedom."

Josef O’Connor, Founder & Artistic Director, CIRCA, said: “We’re proud and honoured to commission with Serpentine this global presentation by Yoko Ono - an artist who has consistently campaigned for peace and inspired us all to imagine a better world."

Bettina Korek, Chief Executive Officer and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director of Serpentine, said: “We are honoured and humbled by Yoko Ono’s powerful contribution. IMAGINE PEACE embraces an urgent call that continues the artist’s lifelong efforts to bring peace to the world. We are so grateful to Yoko for responding to our invitation through compelling simplicity and transcending poetry.”

Derek Manns, Commercial Media Director at Landsec said: “Piccadilly Lights is the proud canvas for messages that unite and inspire people across London and the UK. We’re pleased to be supporting this important moment and display of solidarity.”

Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, said: “Thank you Yoko Ono, CIRCA and Serpentine for their amazing support to the UN’s emergency fund. All proceeds will go to vital relief work in Ukraine and other crises. I thank every individual who bought a print. Your contribution will save lives and livelihoods and show a precious ray of hope to those who need it most.”