Dear Readers,
We happen to live in this sad moment in history, where an independent country in Europe, is being invaded. I am Polish and Ukrainian. I feel connected to my roots more than ever. But I stand with Ukraine because I am a human who believes in a better world.
Photo 1: ‘Stand with Ukraine’ rally, Christopher Park, February 25; Photo 2: ‘Close the Sky’ protest, United Nations, March 1
Every week, there are events in support of Ukraine organized in NYC. I have been going to the events since February 24th, the day when the Russian invasion on Ukraine started. The weekly rally became my duty and something that I am waiting for.
Photos 3 & 4: Umbrella rally, Times Square, March 12
New York City is a place where people meet and unite. Place where social activism happens. You never walk alone here because so many people share your perspective and support you. And together we are stronger a milion times. During rallies in NYC, I personally met Ukrainians, Americans, Georgians, Kazakhs, Poles, Latvians, Lithuanians, Estonians, Russians, Spanish people, Italians, South Koreans, Chinese people, Belarusians, Lithuanians, Chechens, Slovaks, French, Spaniards, South Africans, and more.
Photo 5: Wearing vyshyvanka shirts at ‘Stop the Genocide’ march, Russian consulate NYC, April 9th
I remember that the first rallies in support of Ukraine were taking place in snow and rain. Total strangers were hugging and crying on each other shoulders, tourists in Times Square were trying to find supportive words, and pedestrians were joining the enthusiastic crowd. I quickly realized that the rallies give hope and strength.
Photo 6: Benefit concert and food court, Little Italy x Chinatown, April 16; Photo 7: ‘Never Again’ march from Bowling Green to WW2 Memorial at Battery Park, May 8
Each rally is different and has a different theme, for example, ‘Close the sky’, ‘Save Ukrainian Children’, ‘Never Again’, ‘Stop the Genocide’, ‘Save Azovstal’. The events are organized by communities, such as Razom for Ukraine, Ukrainians in NYC, local community centers, restaurants, or institutions, e.g. schools, churches, and local authorities.
Photos 8 & 9 Saint George Festival of Ukrainian Culture, Ukrainian Village, May 21
On the last weekend of May, I participated in the rally ‘Stop War Rape Ukr’, which was a global event organized by Women for Ukraine. It was held in many American, European, and Australian cities, at the same time. It was a worldwide protest against rape as a war crime. In NYC, we met in front of Russian Conslulate, in support of people that were affected, to stand for our rights, and to deliver the message to the world. With this event and the Nova Ukraine organization, we are also raising funds for the victims of sexual assault in Ukraine. It was the most moving and powerful rally that I have been to. It’s been three months since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but to me, it still feels like it was yesterday.
Photos 10 & 11: ‘Stop War Rape Ukr’ global protest, Russian consulate NYC, May 28
Dear Readers! I believe, that if you got to this point, you want to help. It is easy to get involved and support Ukraine, no matter where you are, and no matter who you are.
Stand with Ukraine!
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