Undeterred, Ukraine supporters unite at more Metro Vancouver rallies (PHOTOS)
Week after week, people are meeting at Metro Vancouver rallies for Ukraine, and attendees say they won’t stop until they get justice.
We are ready! Today #StandWithUkraine️ rally at 1pm today at Richmond City Hall. Organized by #RichmondBC Ukrainian Community Society of Ivan Franko.
Learn more on how to support: https://t.co/7VehAUjxhA pic.twitter.com/4azU2p7BKy— Karina Reid (@KarinaReidRmd) March 5, 2022
Ukrainians are leading local events on March 5 and 6, and as Russian attacks continue, their burdens are only growing heavier.
A rally happened at Richmond City Hall on March 5 while another took place in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery, both well-attended and documented on social media.
On March 6, there will be another rally at Vancouver’s Jack Poole Plaza.
One speaker at the Richmond rally said they had “never been so angry” as they are at Russia now, but held onto the importance of everyone coming together to oppose them.
Today #StandWithUkraine️ rally #RichmondBC. Close sky of Ukrainian. pic.twitter.com/hfUdU8GVoj
— sherepunjabradio (@SherEPunjab600) March 5, 2022
Still, crowds at the rallies are large, showing how much Vancouver cares about the European country.
The mayor of Richmond and several others spoke at the rally to bolster spirits and spread awareness.
Malcolm Brodie, Mayor, City of Richmond. #Ukriane pic.twitter.com/g1J3BSxIgq
— sherepunjabradio (@SherEPunjab600) March 5, 2022
Stepan Gordienko, a Ukrainian living in Vancouver, says it makes a difference to the movement for Ukraine every time people come out.
“The war hasn’t stopped, so neither should the protests. In fact, I would say that Russia has intensified its campaign against civilians explicitly,” he says.
“If anything, the need for those protests is as great if not greater than it was a week ago.”
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He’ll be going to the March 6 rally, but is glad to see every well-attended demonstration across Metro Vancouver.
Richmond #StandWithUkraine️
“Grand us thy peace and thy kindness; grant Ukraine thy liberty.” pic.twitter.com/DjD5U4BtdG
— Kenny Chiu (@RmdKenny) March 5, 2022
Gordienko wants allies there, but also recognizes attending the rally means something different to people like him, who have loved ones trapped in bomb shelters at home.
“I was there six or eight weeks ago. I had coffee with these people. I had dinner with these people, so it’s not something that is abstract to me,” he says.
“It is actually very real.”
As Russian violence against civilians intensifies, it’s important for the world to keep its attention on the tragedy, he added.