Exclusive: Ukraine Protestors Disorganized, Part 2

As the protests in Ukraine continue, it is difficult to understand the mentality of the protesters themselves. When I visited the protest site yesterday, there were very few protesters, but I was told by several people that Today the real protests would start, the demands would be set, and the government would be forced to answer.

I woke up early this morning to get ready for the show. After checking the weather, I dressed warm so that I could support the protesters throughout the day and possibly into the evening. I grabbed my camera, a little food and some bottled water. After getting ready, I decided to walk to the protests anticipating that parking would be difficult. Considering I live less than a Kilometer from the protests, it wasn't a difficult decision to make.

As I approached the protest location, my excitement grew. I could picture myself cheering on the leadership, pointing out the government's inaction, taking pictures and encouraging those around me. However, as I approached, I noticed something missing ... noise. It was extremely quiet. As I look around, I also notice that there are very few parked cars. Now I begin to have my doubts as to the size of the protests. Did the government scare them all away? Were the people worried about being arrested?

I rounded the corner and stood head on with the protesters location. As I look around I realize that there are no protesters. I simply saw a repeat of yesterday, some tents, a food cart and people signing petitions. Confused, I approached one of the tents to learn what had happened.

The first question I ask is, "What happened to the protest?" I was told that last night it was decided to delay the protest by one, so the protests would be held tomorrow. Apparently, announcements were made on local television channels, but I had missed them. While I was disappointed by the unfortunate turn of events, I decided to use this opportunity to learn a little more about the protests themselves with all my questions directed at one of the organizers.

It is important to note that within the first few questions, I was immediately under the impression that the man with whom I was speaking wasn't comfortable. Maybe it was my accent, maybe it was my camera or maybe it was my line of questions. It is difficult to tell, but my questions were intentionally very simple ... Why are you doing this? ... What do you want from the government? ... Who is organizing this? ... opinions ... thoughts ... and so on. Regardless of his personal feelings, the man answered my questions, and I was very grateful. What I learned, however, was a bit surprising.

The organizers are a little known political party known as "Rodina", translated it would be "Motherland". They claim support for Russia, the elderly, an end to corruption, and other standards that are required to gather votes. They are opposed to the oppression by the current government to quell protests, primarily because their leader is now in Kiev trying to bribe his way out of Jail. They have taken the protests under their wing in Odessa and are trying to gather the people around their cause.

I was most surprised when I asked them why they are protesting. The organizer couldn't give me a straight answer. I asked what their demands were and again no straight answer. I then asked what their hoped to achieve from the protests, thinking that maybe by rephrasing the question I may be able to get a little information, but again to no avail. I couldn't understand how the organizers were so clueless about what is going on. In effect, there was no agreed upon protest, everyone had their own personal agenda.

Shortly after I began to show confusion, an older man approached me and asked, "What would you have me do? I lost my factory job several months ago. I have no income, no savings and I need to feed my family?" I was under the impression that he felt that I am trying to stop the protests in some way, but I assured him that I sympathized with him and simply said that they need better organizers ... ones with fixed goals, and a fixed schedule. Those standing around heard what I had to say, but it seemed like I was speaking on deaf ears. These people weren't looking for order, they were looking for work. Unfortunately, their chaotic nature makes it virtually impossible for the government to meet a fixed set of demands.

With this completely disorganized group of protesters, I am in shock that the government is putting so much effort into stopping them. I understand maintaining the peace, but I don't think the government has anything to fear from this group. When it was simply the Lorry Drivers, they had fixed demands. Now that the group has grown, and a political party is taking them under their wing, there is no fixed demands list. I am sure that if the government simply stayed out of their way, keeping them from hurting one another as well as state property, the protests would end out of boredom.

I plan to visit once more tomorrow to see if the protests will happen this time. Maybe by tomorrow the organizers will have a plan, a set list of demands, or something resembling order. My confidence is waning, but maybe a good speaker will show up to rally the crowd. I guess I will find out tomorrow.

Echoed on Mizozo