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<h1>Defenders of Ukrainian language stop hunger strike in Kyiv</h1>
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<p class="new_time">15:10</p>
<p>A group of Ukrainians who were protesting against the adoption of the
law on the principles of the state language policy have stopped their
hunger strike outside the Ukrainian House in Kyiv.</p><p>"We want to
thank everyone who supported our protest in defense of the Ukrainian
language both in word and deed - to those who brought food, gifts,
umbrellas, water, and sleeping mats. You helped and supported us a lot.
Thanks to you, it has been easier for us to defend our rights. Special
thanks to the journalists who came here every day and provided coverage
of our activities. Special thanks to Last Barricade company for sound
and support," reads a statement posted on Facebook.</p><p>At the same
time, protesters say that they will reserve the area outside the
Ukrainian House as a public platform, where anyone will be able to
attend lectures and join creative activities.</p><p>The press service of
the Ukrainian House public initiative told Interfax-Ukraine that they
stopped the hunger strike due to the deterioration of the health of its
participants. However, the activists decided that they would continue
putting pressure on the government through other forms of protest.</p><p>As
reported, the Ukrainian parliament adopted the language law, which
allows more extensive use of the Russian language on July 3. A rally
that gathered about 700 people started near the Ukrainian House
immediately after the voting.</p><p>On July 6, the opposition political
forces announced that the protest near the Ukrainian House was over.
However, some citizens decided to continue the hunger strike near the
Ukrainian House.</p><p>On July 11, the participants of the hunger strike
demanded that Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych put a veto on the
bill on the principles of the state language policy.</p><p>Several people were hospitalized over the time of the hunger strike.</p><a href="http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/111480/">http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/111480/</a><br clear="all">
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