Metro Vancouver church sets up shoe memorial for Ukraine war victims (PHOTOS)
A moving memorial in Metro Vancouver commemorated victims of war this weekend.
On Saturday, April 2, the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church in New Westminster hosted a community vigil with NDP Member of Parliament Peter Julian.
They collected 300 pairs of shoes to pay tribute to the more than 300 victims of the Mariupol Theater attack in Ukraine nearly two weeks ago.
MP Peter Julian
Everyone is welcome to bring new or gently used children’s or women’s shoes to add to the growing memorial.
āThis shoe memorial is inspired by a similar memorial set up last week at Budapest,” Julian said in a release.
MP Peter Julian
“Canadians are watching the invasion of Ukraine by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in horror. Many of us want to help but are unsure how,” he said.
“The community is coming together today to support Ukraine with monetary donations to help Ukrainian refugees and support humanitarian relief.ā
- You might also like:
- Russian community centre in Kitsilano defaced with blue and yellow paint (PHOTO)
- Vancouver flag shop sells out of Ukrainian everything as demand surges
- 7 Vancouver restaurants running initiatives to support Ukraine
Reverend Mykhailo Ozorovych said in a release that the “shoe memorial is a symbolic way to commemorate all the victims and survivors of this horrific war crime against Ukraine.”
MP Peter Julian
MP Peter Julian
“Humanitarian aid is desperately needed. We are collecting donations via our church website to help Ukrainian refugees with visa application forms, plane tickets and insurance, temporary accommodation, and community settlement,ā he said.