50,000 rally in Ukraine, claiming votes rigged

[icymist]

50,000 rally in Ukraine, claiming votes rigged
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Agence France-Presse
Kiev, Ukraine- More than 50,000 supporters of Ukraine's opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko rallied in Kiev Saturday to protest what they claimed was vote-rigging in the first round a week ago.

Demonstrators from all over the former Soviet constituent republic ignored an official ban on the demonstration by city authorities and gathered in a main square to hear Yushchenko charge: "The central electoral commission manipulated the results of the vote of Oct. 31."

Ukraine is heading for a runoff on Nov. 21 after the first round ended with the main candidates - pro-Russian prime minister Viktor Yanukovich and Western-leaning opposition leader Yushchenko - evenly splitting the vote.

The poll came under criticism from various quarters in the west including the European Union, which said it had failed to meet international standards.

The United States said it was a step backward and called for a second round without irregularities.

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1099830684149220.xml

~~~The vote was rigged in the former USSR and the US is going to get involved to help clean it up?! HELLO!

(on edit for spelling)

[clydefrand]

1. Finally, we have something in common!

[VegasWolf]

2. You know, if you think about it, just a few corrupt people in

the right places ( a few couriers, data systems people) could
easily steal an election.

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. this could make me completely crazy

:crazy: The United States said it was a step backward and called for a second round without irregularities.

You've GOT to be kidding! The US is speaking up about fair elections!?!?!?! :wtf:

Come on, folks, if they can get 50,000 to rally, we should be able to double that!

[Baja Margie]

4. We need to do the same thing here.

Name a spot, we'll get there come hell or high water.

[Minstrel Boy]

5. Because exit polls showed the challenger winning!

Ukrainians are in the streets for this.

Americans, please take note.

[Geek_Girl]

6. Maybe we need to think about organizing a protest March

I'm starting to think we need to do more than just blog this crap maybe we need to think about getting off of our butts gather in washington or somewhere and protest voter fraud and voter suppression.

Even if their wasn't enough to turn over an election this election was riddled with irregularities and attempts at keeping minorities from voting. I'm not sure if right now is best or if we wait till the story gets some legs but if we're going to do it It's going to have to be a big turnout.

Susan Surandon, Nader and some others I fighting this. They need to organize a major protest march. Like the million man march so the press will have to cover it.

[Benhurst]

7. Three cheers for the Ukrainians! Pointing the way for the less

enlightened peoples in places such as the United States of America.
:bounce:

[Moderator]

8. Duplicate

from yesterday
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=964768