Opponents of Ukraine anti-govt. protests gather at barricades

PanARMENIAN.Net - Thousands of people angered by months of anti-government protests in the Ukrainian capital are gathering at one of the protesters' barricades in a tense confrontation with demonstrators who have set up an extensive tent camp on the other side, the Associated Press reports.

The crowd of about 2,000 came to the barricade at midday Saturday, Feb 8. They blocked traffic on the capital's main avenue and placed tires in the roadway.

Igor Polishchuk, one of the men placing the tires, said the crowd intended to show its peaceful opposition to the protests that have pushed the country into a political crisis and complained that police had done little against the protesters, who also occupy Kiev's city hall.

Protesters from the anti-government side stood atop a three-meter (10-foot) barricade of snow and refuse near the city hall.