More than a thousand people gathered in solidarity with Ukraine on Thursday at San Francisco City Hall to protest Russia’s invasion of the country.

The rally began with a few hundred people singing the Ukraine national anthem, but as time passed, the crowd became a sea of blue and gold — the colors of the Ukrainian flag. 

Within the crowd, many waved flags and chanted phrases such as, “Hands off Ukraine” and “Ukraine matters.” Some attendees were filled with tears. 

Organizers of the Facebook event wrote that the purpose was to “gather together in solidarity with the Ukrainian people” and to demand three things from President Joe Biden’s administration: to implement “hellish sanctions on Russia;”  extend more “military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine;” and to “isolate Russia in all possible formats on the world stage.”