Londoners will gather in Victoria Park on Saturday in an effort to remind the nation and the world of the continued suffering and bloodshed in Ukraine.
Saturday marks two years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country. Since then, the war has shown no signs of ending with tens of thousands of people killed, millions of civilians displaced, and several cities destroyed. To bring those details back to the front of people's minds, the Ukrainian World Congress has organized "stand with Ukraine" rallies around the world.
In London, the local branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress is asking people to gather at the corner of Richmond Street and Central Avenue, just outside the downtown park at 2 p.m.
"The interest in the war in Ukraine is waning. Other wars and issues have come up, so there is a feeling that this war is receding, but in reality the war is as horrific as ever," said Ola Nowosad of the London branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. "It goes on and affects people daily and most of the missle attacks from Russia are on civilian targets. Every day people are being killed and maimed, their families are being torn apart... It is very important to remember them and the hardship they are going through."
The Victoria Park rally will be a short program lasting roughly 45 minutes with speeches, a performance from a children's choir, and greetings from local politicians. People interested in attending are encouraged to bring placards and wear blue and yellow - the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
A candlelight vigil held outside London City Hall last year on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion drew roughly 300 people.
"It was a very cold, cold night, so we are hoping the weather will be more hospitable this year and we will see more people able to attend," said Nowosad.
She added that figures from the Canadian government show more than 221,000 displaced Ukrainians have settled in Canada. Of those, an estimated 6,000 are now calling southwestern Ontario home.
"In London, there are many women with children whose husbands are fighting in Ukraine so they are going through anxiety and stress. Some of them phone home every day to make sure their families are safe," said Nowosad.
London Ukrainian Centre at 247 Adelaide St S is continuing to collect medical supplies to ship to Ukraine for its overwhelmed hospitals. The Canadian Ukraine Foundation is also accepting financial donations through its website www.cufoundation.ca.
In addition to Saturday's rally, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress London branch is planning a panel presentation at King's University College on March 19. The event will offer information about the estimated 20,000 children who have been abducted from Ukraine by Russia over the past two years and the steps being taken to bring them home.
