‘We still need the world’s help’: Calgarians continue to rally in support of Ukraine
Posted Oct 16, 2022 12:17 pm.
Last Updated Oct 16, 2022 2:55 pm.
Following continued Russian missile and air strikes on Ukrainian cities and towns, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) in Calgary is organizing more rallies and marches.
On Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. the UCC will lead a rally in support of Ukraine.
The protest at Poppy Plaza is being called “Stand with Ukraine: Save the World.”
Our next #StandWithUkraine rally and march in Calgary on October 16 starting at Poppy Plaza.#yyc #Ukraine #StandWithUkraine #StopPutin #StopRussianWar #StopRussianTerrorism #RussiaWarCrimes #RussiaIsATerroristState pic.twitter.com/PoD4NVZirI
— Інна Іванівна (@CalgaryDignity) October 12, 2022
“It’s our mission to support our people, our country who are constantly dying and surviving in a difficult environment. So it’s our mission to help them from here, to remind the world that the work is not over,” said rally and march organizer Serafima Rudik.
Rudik says a stronger response from Ukraine’s allies is needed.
“And that we still need the world’s help in order to fight not only on the (frontlines) but also informationally,” she added. “It is a difficult time for us to be strong enough because Russian propaganda works so well, even here in Canada. And for us, it’s important to ask for help because Ukrainians are constantly fleeing.”
She says every day Ukraine is at high risk and adds that from the previous Monday, many parts of Ukraine were bombed and attacked.
Related Article: Ukrainian family finds new home in Calgary
As for the overall goal for the bi-monthly rallies, Rudik says they are crucial to building momentum to not only raise awareness towards the war effort but also to help those who are recently fleeing and arriving in Calgary as refugees. She says it’s important that refugees be supported emotionally, psychologically, and in some ways financially.
“We try to organize this rally every second week, Ukrainians are constantly fleeing to Calgary and it means that of course, new people are coming every two weeks,” she said. “So it means the number of people is growing and I guess after each rally we see how (much) more we are united, how strong we are, strong to continue to help our people and understand our purpose in being here.”
Related Article: Ukrainians showcase gratitude for Calgarians support in war effort
Rudik says the conflict can have many end results, but for now a compromise is required. She cites as an example returning Ukrainian territories that were designated in 1991, including Donbas and Crimea.
“But I’m not sure if our government will negotiate for us,” she said. “Our president was constantly asking for negotiations for discussion for two years and they were silent.”
Rudik says the vast majority of Russians still support their government and the war.
“So I think if Russia and Russians start apologizing and start doing something not only for Ukrainians but for the whole world we can start discussing this topic. But for right now we don’t see that.”
–With files from Dan Carson and Chimezie Uguru
