Jared Leto shows support to Ukrainian protesters at Kiev concert

Singer/actor Jared Leto showed his support for the citizens fighting for political change in Ukraine at his band 30 Seconds To Mars’ concert in Kiev on Wednesday (12Mar14). Last month’s (Feb14) violent clashes between anti-government protesters and police in the capital city failed to keep the Closer to the Edge hitmakers away from Kiev, where they were booked for two shows at the Sports Palace.
The band arrived in Kiev on Tuesday (11Mar14) and took the stage at the venue on Wednesday night (13Mar14), when Leto offered his support to those fighting for a new nation.
The Oscar winner said, “You guys are in the midst of something really beautiful and it may be difficult, but there’s no price too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.
“And I want to let you know, I understand other bands have cancelled their shows, but there was no f**king way, no f**king way 30 Seconds to Mars wasn’t going to be here in this beautiful city, in this great country here tonight.”
Leto then dedicated a song to the “true believers out there,” and even waved the Ukraine flag while leading the audience in a ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ chant.
Prior to the concert, Leto was spotted visiting Kiev’s Independence Square to pay his respects to the protesters who died in the violent clashes with local police, which claimed the lives of more than 80 people.
Leto’s visit to the Ukraine comes less than two weeks after he mentioned the country’s freedom fighters in a moving acceptance speech at the Oscars following his win for Best Supporting Actor for Dallas Buyers Club.
He said, “To all the dreamers around the world watching this tonight in places like the Ukraine and Venezuela, I wanna say we are here, and as you struggle to make your dreams happen, to live the impossible, we’re thinking of you tonight.”
30 Seconds to Mars played their second Kiev concert on Thursday (13Mar14), and are heading to Russia for four shows, beginning on Friday (14Mar14).