George Clooney took a break from popcorn flick chatter to weigh in on something with more gravity: the anti-government protests in Ukraine.
“We here in the United States have great affinity for those seeking democracy,” Clooney said in a homemade video. “We learned through trial and error that true democracy cannot exist without a free and fair and honest election. You cannot have a democracy when you arrest and harm its peaceful protesters.”
Since Nov. 21, hordes pro-European Union protesters have flooded the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, outraged that President Viktor Yanukovych recently nixed a treaty with the European Union to strengthen ties with Russia.
Police violently cracked down on the demonstrators, which only strengthened their resolve and galvanized fence sitters to oppose the administration.
Hundreds of police with full riot gear are standing guard in Independence Square after hundreds of thousands of dissidents called for Yanukovych’s ouster and toppled a statue of late Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin on Sunday.
It marks the country’s largest demonstration since the pro-democracy Orange Revolution, which attributed Yanukovych’s 2004 presidential victory to electoral fraud.
Orange Revolution protests were co-led by Yulia Tymoshenko, who became the nation’s first female prime minister in 2005.
Tymoshenko, the opposition leader, is behind bars in what her supporters call political imprisonment.
Her image — complete with halo-like braids befitting Princess Leia — has become an icon of democracy for the dissidents .
“I can almost feel the presence of the brave women and men, old and young, who have gathered in Kyiv (Kiev) and other Ukrainian cities to defend their dreams of a democratic and European future,” she wrote from her jail cell.
Clooney, the American “Syriana” star, offered his support for the embattled politician, saying true democracy cannot exist “if you take political prisoners like Tymoshenko simply because you disagree with the way they want to govern.”
Clooney concluded his video by reiterating his message of solidarity and respect for the protesters.
“When you look to the West, know that we are looking back at you with great admiration. We wish you a peaceful and safe mission. We wish you the government that you want, and we wish you the strength to carry on. Good luck.”
Surprisingly, Yanukovych has announced he would meet with three former Ukranian presidents on Tuesday to discuss the crisis.
Ukraine’s troubled economy has aggravated the political standoff.
With News Wire Services
mwalsh@nydailynews.com
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