- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euromaidan
The peaceful Euromaidan protesters were attacked and beaten by police force on November 30. Even after this the protests were peaceful up until January 19, when the president signed laws that severely limit freedom of expression and gathering. Dissatisfied people went to Hrushevskoho and met police forces there. The opposition lost control of the events from that point. See:
- http://imgur.com/gallery/frnKiFS - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Hrushevskoho_Street_riots
During the first days of fights journalists were clearly and openly targeted by government militia forces (~40 of them suffered injuries, arrested, etc.)
Considering fascist bullshit: yes there are some radicals in the crowd. It is very easy to point a finger at some guy and shout: "look a neonazi". The truth is that the crowds are a very diverse group of people. Go read this:
- http://maidantranslations.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/maidan-po...
If anyone is a fascist, it is the current government with their choice of tactics: