Ukrainian flags and banners decorated the streets of Vancouver Sunday as demonstrators marched through downtown while singing the Ukrainian national anthem.
The group gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery to send a message ahead of Feb. 24, the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Organized by Ukrainian Canadian Congress’ Vancouver branch (UCCV), the rally went on for about an hour, starting at 2 p.m.
Olga Zarudina, the president of UCCV, told 1130 NewsRadio that she was elated to see the diversity among the protestors this time.
“We actually had more of an international support, which was really great to see, because this matter is not only about Ukraine, it’s about the security in the whole world.”
She shared a message to the Ukrainian diaspora in Vancouver:
“Be the voice of truth…. because it is your job to support the armed forces of Ukraine who are fighting with their blood, and it is your job to educate people on what’s actually going on.”
Maxim Khomenko, a Canadian-Ukrainian filmmaker, also attended the rally to pay respect to the soldiers fighting the war.
Khomenko worked with veterans from various military brigades while filming his war documentary, Standing Free in Ukraine, for three years.
“We cannot disappoint the heroes that we are fighting for beyond Ukrainian borders, that we are protesting for, that we are rallying together for.”
He says Ukrainians have remained strong and united and that they will not give in to Russia’s attacks.
He added that the “new faces and flags” from Iran, Palestine, Israel, and more remind him that Ukrainians are not alone.
“I get so inspired by all these different cultures, and not only their resilience and willingness to also support Ukraine, I get inspired from their beautiful cultures as well,” Khomenko said.
“What a beautiful thing it was to come together.”
Anastasiia Dubyna, the president of BCIT Ukrainian Student Club (USC) and a recent immigrant to Canada, also took a stand at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
When her club was mentioned at the rally, she proudly turned around to show the club’s flag she was wearing around her shoulder.
“Sometimes it’s hard to balance both BCIT’s nine courses and thinking about my homeland and being worried about my family,” said Dubyna, whose family is in Ukraine.
She says her family is struggling with a lack of electricity following Russia’s strike on Kyiv.
With hopes that the war will end soon, Dubyna says she always thinks about what she can do for her homeland.
“Imagine when the war is over, and hopefully after our victory, maybe your children or grandchildren will ask you what you did during the wartime in order to help Ukraine,” she said.
“What would you tell them?”
