Apr8

Kharkov protesters declare independence

Posted on April 8, 2014 by sagarmedia

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Police have clashed with anti-coup protesters in Kharkov in an effort to push the crowd back from the administration building. Earlier, activists in the second-largest Ukrainian city followed those in Donetsk and proclaimed a People’s Republic of Kharkov.
Clashes erupted near the Kharkov administration on Monday evening after police reportedly tried to vacate the building, which was partially occupied by pro-independence protesters. Kharkov demonstrators took control of the building earlier in the day, after proclaiming independence of the region from Kiev.
Police reportedly used fire-hoses, stun grenades, and tear gas to push the crowd back from the building. In response, protesters threw several Molotov cocktails at the building and set a pile of tires on fire. The blaze soon spread to the first floor of the building.
Activists at the scene said the law enforcement officers who used force against protesters had been deployed from western Ukraine. According to some witnesses, the violence was initially triggered by a group of provocateurs. Earlier in the day, pro-EU demonstrators clashed with supporters of the federalization of Ukraine.

Eventually, a group of local police outside the administration building moved in to push protesters back, allowing fire crews to extinguish the blaze. The building was slightly damaged by the blaze, and several windows were broken in scuffles.
Witnesses at the scene reported that demonstrators were still in control of the government building after the tensions eased.