Crowd control methods keep largest rally in Kyiv history in check
(Report and photos filed by Petro Matiaszek on October 25, 2004)

Tens of thousands gathered on Independence Square before the start of the march to the Central Election Commission. The flags bear the orange and red colors of the Yushchenko campaign with the slogan "Tak!" (Yes!).

Over 150,000 people rallied in Kyiv on 23 October, in support of the leading opposition presidential candidate Victor Yushchenko and to denounce the anticipated falsification of election results by the opponent and current administration. It was the biggest turnout ever for a political rally in Kyiv, outnumbering even those of 1917 (the Bolshevik Revolution) and 1991 (Independence from the Soviet Union).

More would have attended had the militia not stopped thousands of buses headed to Kyiv from all over the country. In addition, ticket sales were suspended and people were pulled off trains coming into Kyiv leaving empty trains to arrive in the capital that morning.

The Ukrainian presidential election, which took place on Sunday, 31 October, has been condemned by the OSCE and the United States, calling it a "step backward" from the 2002 election. None of the 24 candidates received the necessary majority of votes on Sunday, thus a runoff between the top 2 contenders, Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych, is scheduled for November 21.

Supporters from Hetman Ivan Mazepa's capital of Baturyn, Chernihivska oblast

Marchers about to enter newly renamed Hetman Pavlo Skoropadsky Street in downtown Kyiv

Marchers passing under a street banner calling on people to "Love Ukraine"

These students from Chernihiv oblast carrying the giant Ukrainian flag were pulled off the train in the middle of the night, forcing them to walk the rest of the way to Kyiv.

A young boy on a balcony overlooking the rally showed his true colors.

The rally heads up Lesia Ukrayinka Boulevard.

Students from Kherson

Anything orange goes in Kyiv on the day of the rally.