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My name is Damian Kolodiy, and I'm an American filmmaker. In the summer of 2004, I documented
protests to both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. At the Democratic Convention
in Boston, demonstrators were corralled into a free speech cage. At the Republican Convention
in New York City, thousands of non-violent protestors filled the streets daily despite
a vast and intimidating police presence. Police made sweeping arrests and there seemed
to be a blatant disregard for First Amendment Rights.
When the 2004 US Presidential election was finally decided, I was disappointed to say
the least, I had been hoping for change. Now I wanted to escape... even leave the country...
I thought of Ukraine. They were having a presidential election of their own, and I was hoping for
a real revolution... You know, when the masses rise up and demand change, no matter what
the cost. I wanted to believe in the power of the people again... in the kind of passion
you have when you've got nothing to lose.
Ukraine was not a totally random choice. My dad was born there, his parents emigrated
to New York City in 1949, my mother's in 1946. My parents met in the 60s in the East Village,
Manhattan's Ukrainian neighborhood. They had much in common, both were teachers and also
children of Ukrainian political refugees. They married and in 1977 I was born. My little
brother and I grew up steeped in the traditions of Ukraina, the motherland. We went to Ukrainian
school and spoke only Ukrainian at home So, I asked around, and found out through
some friends fo mine, that there was a need for election monitors. So I applied online
and was accepted. I quickly bought a ticket, found my passport, and got my visa. I packed
up some clothes and my camera, and within a week, was set to board a plane to Kiev,
the capital of Ukraine.
Victor Yanukovych was President Kuchma's handpicked
successor. He was the Prime Minister of Ukraine and former governor of the eastern region
of Donetsk. He also spent time in jail for *** and was accused of having mafia ties.Due
to his position in the government, Yanukovich had power over information, access to the
nation's budget, and the backing of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Not surprisingly,
Yanukovych's popularity was mainly in the Russian speaking regions of Eastern and Southern Ukraine.
In contrast, Viktor Yushchenko , the former
head of the Ukrainian National Bank and former Prime minister of Ukraine, leaned toward European
and western ideals. His rhetoric drew thousands of supporters, who often dressed in orange,
his political campaign colour. His popularity grew quickly as his progressive platform brought
hope of change to the country. Yushchenko's popularity grew stronger, and
he proved a very real threat to the Kuchma government. Until one evening, in early September
2004, when a dinner with secret service agents almost ended it all.
Suddenly, Yushchenko fell deathly ill. He was flown to a specialized hospital in Vienna.
The cause of his mysterious illness was determined to be dioxin, a deadly chemical which he had
somehow ingested the night of the dinner. The dioxin should have killed him. It didn't,
but it left the handsome Yushchenko permanently disfigured.
With the new election some days away, I decided it was time to talk to the people, and see
what they had to say. The young people of Ukraine vote against Yanukovych.
Not for Yushchenko, but against Yanukovych. For we want to be a democractic country, a
European country, and not the Soviet Union Republic.
We support the democracy in Ukraine. We don't want man who was two times in prison, who
doesn't speak Ukrainian well, who is supported by criminals, we don't want him in the power.
I saw some small demonstrations by Pora, an activist organization dedicated to ensuring
the voting process is conducted fairly. I was surprised to see such an active participation
and mobilization of youth. Pora is time, time is now. It's a lot of young
people who understand that now is time to change something and do something.
Our main aim is to preserve the legitimacy of the electoral process, and to protect the
fair choice of the voters. So we want that person who was really elected by the people
to be president of our country. The more volatile places are further east
and south, where there is a lot more falsification, intimidation and corruption going on. But,
if I go out there, there is a chance I may not be able to make it back here to Kyiv,
should anything happen... After voting, the 21st of November, come here.
They will see the beginning of the movement for democracy, or the victory of democracy
by voting. Lullabye song The snow would be heavy tonight.
Would the weather prevent people from going to the polls? People expected the elections
to be corrupt. Many believed the Kuchma regime would do anything it could to stay in power.
The youth were motivated, expecting the worst and prepared for a fight... but would that
be enough? The question that remained was, what will the people do if the election is
stolen? The evening before elections, Independence Square, or Maydan as it is known in Ukrainian,
was eerily quiet.
I decided to monitor the elections in Kyiv.
I traveled from station to station, observing and documenting the voting procedure.The first
problem was a delayed opening of the polls and restless crowds of voters.
It was much more chaotic than our own election process.
-You cannot be here! -She can't see well, I'm trying to help her!
While approximately 60% of the population came out
to vote in the American election, 77% of Ukrainians showed up at the polls ... a huge turnout.
The Central Election Commission announced that Yanukovych leads by 3 percent. However,
exit polls varied greatly, even favoring Yushchenko by an 8 point lead. Falsification accounts
came pouring in from all across the country. There were buses that carried people from
one polling station to another, allowing them to vote multiple times. Ballot boxes were
being stuffed, some people were unable to find their name on voter registration forms...
and there were more graphic accounts of aggression.
Intimidation of both Yushchenko supporters
and campaign workers was both rampant and blatant. And now,
back at the Central Election Commission, Yushchenko was being denied access to the
building.These are the terrorists in state uniforms. And this is a state administration.
Please act as one.! I am an official person. And I am at a state building! Please react
accordingly! I went to the Central Election Commission
myself, to see if I could get inside. Surprisingly, my election monitor certification allowed
me access into the very building Yushchenko was being denied entry to..
I arrived just in time to catch a media announcement from Yulia Tymoshenko, one of Yushchenko's
most visible supporters.
Undoubtedly, the winner of the Presidential campaign
is Victor Yushchenko,
with a large margin of victory.
And what is occurring the past hours in the Central Election Commision
and the Eastern states of Ukraine
is called massive falsification of your rights.
I now, with the rest of our team, turn to you,
so that tomorrow at 9AM
on the square of Independence
will gather as many people as possible
I know that you have to work
you have your individual responsibilities
But to defend your life and Ukraine
that time has come upon us.
I was awestruck by the thousands of people
who had gathered on Maydan that morning. I felt a sense of history, a continuation of
my grandparent's struggle. Unlike the complacent response I saw in America, these people had
risked their jobs, they had much to lose, somehow they knew that by not heeding Yulia's
call to gather, there was a greater price to be paid. An energy of unity radiated from
the crowd, but I wondered how they would channel that power?
I know that today my country endures unusually troubling times. I know that today a great
evil is forming in my country to extend the power of the criminals in government.
I know that today, everyone, from child to adult, to officers and politicians to teachers
and doctors must stand in defense of Ukraine. I want to ask you, will we be able to gain
victory with you?I know that it must be this way.
I know that for the first time in 13 years, we will not leave Kyiv without the government, is this so?
As evening came, there were no signs that people were ready to go home.
They say one day, two, maybe three,
and afterwards people will go home.
But no! It won't be like this!
Everyday we must continue to have more and more people.
People who are strong, not tired,
who are ready from morning until night
to defend themselves, to defend Ukraine.
We have no choice
but to go to the Presidential administration,
to block roads, airports, post offices...
Revolution!
Glory to the rightful heroes of Ukraine!
Glory to Yushchenko!
There's a lot of energy, and I've never seen anything like this!
We support a new President.
We support a new government
that is supposed to come to power in Ukraine.
We are against falsifications perpetrated by the old regime.
Let God give Ukraine a new future.
Let God give Ukraine a new president.
The latest news is very interesting
... Lviv, Ternopil, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions
have officially announced that they recognize Victor Yuschenko
as President, and will not follow commands of anyone else.
This is already a revolution!
Kyiv has to rise up, and it has risen!
Thank God it has risen!
And in every region, we have to chase away the bandits
from their administrations,
and it will spread through all of Ukraine!
And only then when the government feels that
its roots are ripped away,
it will promptly die out.
November 23, 2004 March to Parliament
Bandits out! Bandits out!
The next day, the movement continued to grow.
Hundreds of thousands were now flooding the Maydan despite freezing temperatures. I was
stunned by the sheer number of people, and frustrated that I couldn't capture it all
in my camera frame.
Of course we will also be a European democracy!
In one hour will begin
the meeting of Parliament.
Let's agree to work as
national deputies of Parliament,
my hope is that you will responsibly participate from the street.
I am convinced that our
joint participation will
bring us to political success.
So let God help us.
Please let us peacefully and organized,
begin to walk to the Parliament of Ukraine.
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to all of you!
"Ukraine has not yet died" (Ukraine national anthem)
These were leaders who led by example, they not only talked the talk, but literally walked
the walk.
The March to Parliament asserted the power
of the masses. The Ukrainian government could not ignore the chanting outside as meetings
were being made inside.
We came to voice our dissatisfaction
with the work of the Central Election Commission
which didn't properly count our votes.
We came here because we cannot
continue with this unfairness
What they are doing to us, it is horrific!
If the people
of Ukraine vote a certain way
then the government of Ukraine must accept this.
Why this isn't happening, I don't know.
Finally people are awake!
Ukraine has risen from her knees!
It's impossible to tolerate such lies
and mockery of the people.
For me it's all the same.
I have lived my life.
But for the happiness of my children and grandchildren
I came here.
And will not leave until
the government is changed.
Yushchenko supporters continued to chant for
hours. In an emergency meeting inside Parliament, Victor Yushchenko stepped up to the podium,
and took the presidential oath of office. Though it was a symbolic gesture, it proved
to be extremely powerful.
I can't believe how many people are here,
you just don't see an end to the people, anywhere you look it's just a sea of people, it's really
amazing! We were more than one million people near
the Parliament there. What we have shown today is that we are not
going to leave this place until we win. Because mafia... well, uh, the former government has
falsified elections and everyone understands this.
The time has come
I'm really tired, I haven't really gotten that much sleep...
After almost 3 continuous days of filming outdoors,
I was utterly exhausted. I needed sleep, But I just couldn't allow myself to put the camera down.
We have two choices.
Either we rest until tomorrow,
or we go to the Presidential Administration.
At the Presidential Administration, new arrivals
from western Ukraine began to setup yet another tent city.
The government quickly responded by sending troops. As I ran after them, I wondered whether
they would use force against the people.
- After Yulia spoke with the police, surprisingly
they allowed her through into the administration. We were left wondering what to do next.
My name is Roman Tkach, National Deputy.
You have heeded your duty from Yulia Tymoshenko to stand here!
At this minute, decisions are being made as to future steps.
I ask of you, the next several minutes,
maybe 20, maybe 30, maybe 1 hour, maybe 2,
We must stand here!
No one here is getting paid,
everyone came here from motivations of the heart.
And even though you may get cold,
we must stand here!
I ask you sincerely to understand a couple of things.
In front of you stands a barrier. This is not a stupid wall.
This is our brother. These are our brothers.
God forbid any one of you think this is our enemy!
This is not the enemy, these are our Ukrainian brothers.
Simply, for 13 years they were commanded by bandits,
and today they are forced to follow orders.
And today we have our President, a Ukrainian President.
These boys made obligations not to Kuchma nor Yanukovych,
President. they are under oath to the Ukrainian people, laws, and Constitution,
to the Ukrainian people, laws, and Constitution, and they will follow them. And again, I ask
and they will follow them.
And again, I ask of you,
God forbid we disrespect them.
We must approach them with love, and say
Ivan, Brother Mykola,
God forbid! God forbid!
God forbid that you raise a hand against your sister or brother!
And like so, we must continue to stand!
Over the past few days and nights, the Yushchenko
chant had become so much more than just the name of a presidential candidate. It was a
cry for peace, for freedom, for justice, and for truth.
It had come to symbolize a history of suffering and intolerance that was finally being expressed.
And it would become a word that carried hope around the world.
But as uplifting as hope may be, people still had to survive in freezing weather and take
care of their physical needs; sleeping, eating, and staying warm.
We are from Kyiv. We work here in a restaurant. Everyday we prepare hot food for the Maydan.
Three, four times a day we come here... without charge of course! And we will continue to
feed however much is required.
A week earlier I had attended a rave party
at the expo center. Now the space was being used as a shelter for newly arrived revolutionaries.
Suddenly we had masses of people arriving in Kyiv. And it was necessary to find places
to sleep. People took some to their homes, but they couldn't accommodate large groups.
The first day we accepted about 50 people. But people kept coming, the next day we had
300. Then 800, 1300, yesterday we had 2500, and today we are expecting to house over 3000
people total. In these few days, people from various regions have become acquainted and
it's evident that we really are one nation, and have united desires and goals.
(Ukrainian National Anthem)
Trucks arrived with army boots, to be distributed
to those in need, myself included.
From all over Ukraine supplies are brought
to those in need, myself included. From all over Ukraine supplies are brought
here, to help/ These are things that people here need. There are entire services that
bring clean and warm socks. And so, those who need help or warm clothes, they can come
here and pick up any blankets that they may need.
I'm sick, I have a cough, my nose is running... throat hurts, I'm exhausted...
How long can people really last in this cold? The weather is very rough. If it'd be summer, it'd be
a very different situation.
Right now it's hard to make any judgements.
from Europe, from America.
some tanks will come, I'm not sure. Maybe more people will come. Right now it's hard
I wanted to hear their perspective.
This is criminal.
In the 2 years Yanukovych was in government, he did a lot.
He raised people pensions.
Today, the majority of Ukrainians support Viktor Yanukovych. And what is happening today
in Kyiv, is destruction of the Constitutional Law of Ukraine. This is criminal.
Small and middle business closed because of Yushchenko. In the 2 years Yanukovych was
in government, he did a lot. He raised people pensions.
Salaries were doubled. Miners received a minimum of $120/month.
Military Truly with Yanukovych we can see the future of Ukraine. We don't need American
money. We don't need it. You know, with Russia we have a long relationship and our economies
Freddy Kruger! He has something wrong with his face! I'm serious and not afraid to say this.
Freddy Kruger! He has something wrong with his face! I'm serious and not afraid to say this.
We were able to overcome the occupation of Hitler.
We were able to overcome the occupation of Hitler.
We were able to overcome the occupation of the Stalin regime, Soviet regime, and we
We were able to overcome the occupation of the Stalin regime, Soviet regime, and we
are able to overcome the will of these parasites to destroy the Ukrainian state.
No president has ever allowed himself such manipulation of public opinion. Total, total lies!
A winner had been declared. The Central Election
Commission announced that Victor Yanukovych was indeed, the official winner of the Presidential
election. Yushchenko's team had submitted thousands
of examples of evidence of election falsification to the Ukrainian Supreme Court.
Kiev became a sea of blue & orange. People from both sides kept
Think logically! Who and what it is you are supporting!Everyone has the right to their
Shame! Shame on you!
Think logically! Who and what it is you are supporting! Everyone has the right to their
opinion. I understand you, but Falsifications... you've heard about them? There are concrete
facts. Things aren't done this way, everything should be honest.
You have your perception, and I have mine. I am for you!
Western and Eastern Ukraine vote differently. I'm not dividing Ukraine into pieces.
Forget that, let's have peace and love. Peace and Love!
However, real violence never broke out. In fact, the opposite often happened ...
We are against falsification, not against you. We are all family, but we are against
falsifications. You understand, you are causing divisions.
We will take him with us. He's hungry and cold. A free Ukraine.
. - Although there were many plans, all Yushchenko supporters agreed on one thing, the elections
had been falsified and that was unacceptable. But the days were uneasy, every person who
came out to Maydan knew that just by being there, they were endangering their health
and possibly even their lives. You understand, the laws of Ukraine prevent
the military from going on strike. The fact that I am here is against the law. But I wouldn't
have come here, if I didn't know that when the election campaign started, my commanders
and high ranking generals openly pressured the people to vote for Yanukovych. If this
happened on one side if a general breaks this law, Then why should I, a Captain, obey this
law? I came out here to defend my words.
There were constant rumors of military movement,
even talk of Russian troops in Kyiv disguised as guards in the last rows at the Administration. These
foreign soldiers would not see Ukrainians as their brothers, and the people knew it.
The threat of violence hovered. On Saturday, the infamous "seventh day", military
tension culminated in a direct threat of attack. The military is planning to take down our
tent city.At 2AM they want to bring us to our knees. At 2 AM there should be more of
us here than currently on Maydan. What can we expect?The government will try
to take down the tent city. Rumors flew - the military was coming to remove
the people -- trucks waiting on the outskirts were given the command to move on the city.Rather
than flee, the people dug in. They began to build make-shift barriers and we heard word
that even taxis had lined up to block the road.
It was scary ... not knowing what was happening or when.
People stayed awake and alert all through the night.
When morning came, surprisingly, tent city was still there. The command had been retracted,
a violent evening prevented. During these long days of protest, Yushchenko,
Kuchma, and Yanukovych, under the watch of European leaders, had been meeting to negotiate
a resolution to the election conflict. On December 3rd, 2004, the Ukrainian supreme
court, believed by many to be on the government's payroll, announced its verdict.
The results of the Central Election Commission on November 24, 2004, in regards to the election
of the President of Ukraine are annulled. The Central Commission is obligated to conduct
a repeat election of the President of Ukraine. This decision is final.
As I watched this well-deserved celebration, I couldn't help but wonder what would have
happened in America if the people took to the streets and demanded a full recount. Or
even a re-vote. Perhaps there are lessons to be learned from
these people, who challenged three hundred years of oppression. Simply because they decided
the time had come. The Supreme Court decided that another election
was in order, eventually to be scheduled for December 26th. This was a major victory for
Yushchenko's team, however, there were compromises to be made.
The Constitution was amended so that in a year's time, many of the new President's powers
would be transferred to the Parliament and Prime Minister. This was discouraging to many
of the people.
The fact that he went to negotiate with bandits
is not right. Because he is representing us, so that we don't suffer.
I had been in Kyiv for close to a month and decided I needed to get out of my comfortable
Orange bubble and head to Donetsk, Yanukovych's home city, to get a sense of the feeling in
other parts of the country. When I couldn't find anyone to travel with
I decided to accompany the Pora organized "Train of Friendship". It was a caravan of
50 cars and around 200 people that would journey to censored regions of Ukraine to disseminate
information about what was happening in Kyiv. This included musicians and performers to
attract people and help recreate the atmosphere of Maydan. A road crew traveled ahead of us
to erect a stage in the next city.
Why did you put away your Yuschenko flags?We
were told to avoid provocations. The goal is not just agitation, but to unite the East
and West of Ukraine, we have a split. This is the goal of the caravan, to unite east
and west. This is a train of friendship between people. It's not supposed to be an action
to support one particular candidate. This action is to show support for Ukraine.
Our goal was to provide people with the truth, as we knew it.
Yanukovych supporters have blocked the road. The Friendship Train caravan was all over
the news so over 300 people blocked the road to prevent us from entering into Odessa.
The Fascists won't pass through!
Why is this policeman letting them block the road?
Eventually the military came and forced the
crowd apart, allowing us to continue on into the city.
The next day we had our first full scale musical event in Odessa.
It seemed like the Yanukovych supporters thought we would come into town, with guns drawn,
blood thirsty fascists determined to force them to change their minds. Instead they found
Ukrainians like them, who desired a better life for their families and their country.
In our next stop, the city of Herson, we had
a very mixed reaction. So they are only against Yuschenko. So they
don't know why they are for Yanukovych. They think that when Yushchenko will come he will
support America but not Russia. And they want to be with Putin, with Mr. Putin to be Russian
people... they think there is like some Paradise in Russia.
I think that now we have to support our Ukrainian culture, our Ukrainian language, our traditions,
but not Russian traditions. The issue was not always about Ukraine and Russia.
America was also a sensitive topic. I'll *** smash your apparatus! Understand?
Why? Why? Tell me why you feel this way? Because you kill people *** everywhere!
You start *** wars everywhere! You and your *** democracy! I agree with you that
they never should have gone to Iraq. What the *** did you invade Iraq? How many people
die in Iraq everyday? What the *** do you need there? Oil?They will beat and kill you
all over the world!
It's Bush who forced Americans to war! Not him! If I met you in a different place, I would
slit your throat! You have my word! The misinformation here was frightening. And
I realized that this divide was even worse than I thought. Resistance to any new ideas
was so strong, I really started to believe that this information war could turn into
a civil war.
It was finally time to head to Donetsk, Yanukovych's
home turf. It was our biggest challenge yet - we felt that either the cars would get damaged,
we'd get damaged or we could die. Many were having second thoughts.
I recommend to all sane people who can still think to go home tomorrow, to Kyiv. We've
executed out mission, and we've done it honestly. They will beat us, and beat us severly...
And there could be traumatic brain injury, broken bones, this is 100% guaranteed!
The danger factor had risen for me, and I had to decide whether it was worth the risk.
You'll become famous...I said that when we are being attacked, the American is in our
car....So thank you for securing us. Uh... I don't know if I'm going to stay...
My fellow passengers were not from Ukraine, and after last nights warning, i was quite
nervous. I just walked around to see if maybe I can
switch cars, because I honestly don't feel safe in that car, that they don't really understand
the situation....um... but there doesn't seem to be room anywhere else. So doesn't look
like I have much of a choice.
Damyan are you going with them? Yes, is that
good? Call right away on the phone. Call Anya if there is urgency. Natalia, you immediately
call me, ok? Alright. Everything will be ok. We heard on the radio that effigy's of Yulia
and Victor were being burned in downtown Donetsk. Not a good sign.
On the city outskirts, our caravan was blocked entry. Yet again.
But things turned uglier than usual.They are throwing the stones. Where?There... (points)
Very careful, they throw nails everywhere! We just blow out two tires!
This was in my tire!
There was real danger now, as hundreds of aggressive
Yanukoych supporters converged on us! Let's go! Let's go!
Silver, relax, dude! No, it's ok... There is a place where you can't go because
people are so aggressive. We diverted onto the road to the city of Harkiv.
It's sad, what just happened This is my country. This is my country also. These people with
camera.... Our Ukrainian journalist have divided Ukraine in half. How? They got paid to tell
lies to a certain category of people.
This has divided out country. It's horrible. It's sad.
Today was Christmas in America, but not in Ukraine.
That would be next month. Tomorrow would be the repeat election and the Presidency
of Ukraine was at stake. Falsification was still a major concern.
In the past few days many people of Ukrainian heritage, who had been demonstrating in their
home countries had also come to Ukraine to be international election monitors.
I was given the choice to observe anywhere in Ukraine. I chose to return to Donetsk.In
less than 10 hours after arriving in Kyiv, I would be turning around and heading back
to Donetsk. The city had assumed mythic qualities to me. I had heard tales of the clans, gangs
and bandits from the east and I was hoping to finally see with my own eyes what life
there was really like. My group was assigned to a small town 40 km
outside of Donetsk. We would split into 2 teams, and try to hit as many polling stations
as we could.
Not surprisingly, people here were overwhelmingly
in favor of Viktor Yanukovych.
Nobody is interfering with your election.
Who are you to try to control us?We vote the same way you do. Where is democracy? You only
talk about democracy. So, is there organization here in Donbas?Here, yes.
Just please don't write that it's all Donetsk bandits.
Altogether, people were very respectful and responsive to us... And in one particular
instance, I experienced a surprising reflection and desire for change.
Thank you for coming. You're welcome was in the KGB. You were? I'm retired now. President
is nobody to me. Nobody . Honestly. I voted for my grandchildren. I have two.I voted for
the sake of the future. I cast my vote for Yushchenko. Yes, Because there is a future
with him. Yanukovych is the past.
Ukraine is no more. She has been robbed. Everything? No, the land is left.
That's all there is.
Late in the day, we received an anonymous
call that there were falsifications going on in a polling station in a nearby village.
As soon as we arrived ... Please don't come here. The ones I saw all
had seals. Where have you seen a different seal?
No, this one is correct. The box had not been sealed. And it's not sealed.
three of you are witnesses! Comrades, this comrade has just broken the seal.
I didn't break the seal! No, you broke it! You broke it! There is a bunch of witnesses.
And he has it on tape! Great. It wasn't sealed, wonderful! We recorded on video that this
box was not sealed! Contact the territorial commission, submit a statement and that's
the end of it. That's all we want, to follow the regulations.
You don't have a right,,, What do you mean 'don't freak out'?! The seal was broken right
in front of us. This way you can just come and break seals,
and claim the elections were illegitimate!
You're not leaving this place.Cut it out of your film!
To break that you need a knife or scissors!
You can't just break it by touch!
That's what they gave. I don't like this camera
They're afraid we're just going to totally knock out all their votes. That's
what they're afraid of. -Well what was up with that that is wasn't sealed?-They're ***
falsifying. It's a no brainer. -They're stuffing the ballots! I say we get out of dodge!
Before I left Donetsk, I had the opportunity to meet with Ihor, a local whose brother I
had met in Kyiv. It would prove to be one of the most enlightening interviews I did
revealing the Eastern perspective.
why are for Yanukovych? It's because we live better than western Ukraine, understand? So,
we are for the stability that was all those years. Here, we've had more development That
caravan from Pora, the orange bus, which was first in the caravan He was carrying these
funeral wreaths.
The one in front. So they didn't let him into Donetsk Because it was offensive? Yes, offensive.
But I don't think that was their goal... their goal was a train
of friendship. Why did they bring the funeral wreath?
We have flowers to place on the memorial of the fallen miner. To light candles and pray
at the memorial. And then place the flowers on the stage.
So people see that there is such a thing as the Friendship Train.
I think the people there will see us,
and each will perceive us as they may...We will see each other as people,
see the friendship caravan, and we'll articulate our thoughts. Right?
Within days, the ballot counting was near completion and the Central Election Commission
announced that Victor Yushchenko was winning by 8 percent.
Meanwhile, many others were already recognizing Victor Yushchenko as the new President of
Ukraine. Finally, on January 20th, 2005, the Government
papers were finally allowed to publish the official election results declaring Victor
Yushchenko the winner. It was time to say "goodbye" to tent city.
It had served its purpose, sheltering those who had left their homes in those cold winter
weeks to have their voices heard. The Orange Revolution was not a revolution
in dictionary terms. There was no violent overthrow of power. It was a revolution of
will and resolve that changed a nation. And I believe it was the people who were truly
transformed. They were responsible for a major evolution in Ukrainian society. After so many
years of suffering, they created a massive uprising without death or violence. The first
peaceful revolution in history. Finally, the power of the people had triumphed.
It is very important to explain to people this proverb from the bible. It's not that
the god has to give a person a fish. He has to teach him how to fish. And he will be fat
for a lifetime. So this is the problem, people have to be explained, it is not Yushchenko
who will take and give them everything... it's them who will develop under the new circumstances
that will be created. For each person has the right to develop in the way that he could,
and in the way that he has the right to develop.
This whole Orange Revolution rocked my perception
of the Ukrainian identity. What had always been my grandparents culture, an old language
and old traditions suddenly came alive for me. And in the process I discovered a Ukraine,
both past and present. And if anything would remain timeless from
this revolution, would be that Ukrainian's had finally become citizens of the world.
I know that my Grandparents would have been proud.
I vowed to return to Ukraine with the finished documentary in hand.
I knew even then, running down the streets of Kiev, that one day my film would play a role
in educating people about the events that came to be known as, 'The Orange Revolution'
One of the most unique and beautiful experiences of my life.