Stand With Ukraine Family Rally in Vegreville

Stand With Ukraine Family Rally in Vegreville

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

The Stand With Ukraine movement, which is supported by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, (UCC) requested for Canadians from coast-tocoast to recognize the Ukrainian people’s freedom and right to peace in their land.

On February 6, a Stand With Ukraine, (SWU) family rally was held at Vegreville Elks/Kinsmen Park by the Pysanka Egg where close to 100 citi- zens showed their support for Ukraine by wearing blue and yellow and Ukrainian attire as well as flying Canadian and Ukrainian flags.

All the people who recited speeches echoed the sentiment that Ukraine’s solidarity and independence must be protected from Russia’s recent acts of aggression on the border of Ukraine’s own land.

Organizer Natalia Toroshenko said she was born and raised in Montreal and is a first generation Canadian, but she has lots of connections with Ukraine. “Ukraine is my ancestral homeland, Ukrainian is my first language, and I have a lot of family and many friends in Ukraine.

“Many SWU rallies were being held across Canada on February 6 to draw attention to what is going on in Ukraine and to literally stand with Ukraine in terms of all Canadians who are supportive of Ukraine under the conditions with which President of Russia, Vladimir Putin has amassed troops on the borders of Ukraine. It is a day UCC chose to have a rally to get the information out there to those who are not aware of what is happening in Ukraine and to show our support to Ukraine.

I decided to organize this SWU family rally in Vegreville because someone had to do it, and I have in the past organized events and presentations as a representative of the Ukrainian Community in the Vegreville. I thought there were enough people in Vegreville and area who would be willing to stand up and say that we stand with Ukraine at this difficult time and we want to show our support.

I think the rally went well overall; people who support standing for Ukraine at this time showed up, the weather was gorgeous, the program wasn’t very long, and I had some really good compliments on how the event went,” Toronshenko said.

Nykita and Katana were two of the youngest children who attended the rally.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Ivan Dacko, who came from Edmonton to attend the rally, said Vegreville is his hometown, and to him, standing up for Ukraine is very important right now. “Putin is very dangerous not only for Ukraine but also for Europe, Canada and United States. I am trying to bring awareness that Russians’ mentality of terrorizing the world is already in Canada and is dangerous.”

Georgina Frankiw mentioned she is from a Ukrainian community and she loves Ukrainians as she is learning the language now. “My heart just goes out to all the Ukrainians overseas. I feel sorry for what is going on in Ukraine. They have the right to keep their independence as a country. I am here because I want to pray for them.”

Svitlana Fedorouk said she is Ukrainian and her heart is in Ukraine. “I was born, raised and spent 25 years in Ukraine. Then I spent my other 25 years in Vegreville. I came here to pray for Ukraine as they are in great danger now.

Raymond Charuk said his wife, Olga is from Ukraine. “I support Ukraine because I have family ties over there.” Olga Charuk said she supports Ukraine and its people against aggression.