Ukrainians Mark "Orange Revolution" Protests

KIEV, Ukraine -- Flanked by hundreds of police, Ukrainians descended on Kiev's main square Tuesday for an anniversary celebration of the Orange Revolution mass demonstrations one year ago.

Orange-clad crowds poured into central Kiev to mark the first anniversary of Ukraine's 'orange revolution,' the mass protests that ousted an entrenched pro-Russian regime, installed pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko in power and deeply split the nation
A column of hundreds of President Viktor Yushchenko's supporters from western Ukraine marched down Kiev's main street. On Independence Square - the epicenter of the protests - Yushchenko's party representatives handed out orange scarves.

Many supporters waved orange flags and were bundled up in orange scarves against the chill November morning.

"It was a turning-point in the life of the nation," said Dasha Lysenko, a 17-year-old student who spent two months in the opposition tent camps last year. "We stood on the square not for politicians but for the ideals, for freedom."

Buses full of sleepy, tired-eyed police waited on side streets, and metal barricades were being put up along the main avenue. Last year, few police were visible, but this year more than 1,000 officers were expected to patrol the event.

The celebrations were slated to include speeches by President Viktor Yushchenko, who now faces sagging popularity among Ukrainians disillusioned by persistent corruption and by the lack of progress since last year's upheaval. His one-time Orange Revolution ally and now chief political competitor, Yulia Tymoshenko, was also expected to address the crowd.

Last November, millions jammed Kiev's streets to protest against election fraud in the bitter election. They chanted "Yu-shchen-ko!" and set up a sprawling tent camp, bringing life in this capital city of more than 2 million to a halt.

A repeat runoff ordered by the Supreme Court ultimately resulted in Yushchenko's election.

Source: AP Wire