Hundreds of Victorians crowded in front of the neo-baroque facade of the BC Legislature building in a rally of solidarity with the people of Ukraine following the invasion of the country by Russia earlier this week.

Photo credit: Colin SmithSunday's Ukraine solidarity rally was one of the city's largest peace demonstrations seen in generations.

Multiple speeches by members of the local Ukrainian community, as well as local and provincial government representatives denounced the actions of Putin and the government of the Russian Federation, and called for added support for the people of Ukraine by Canadian and allied governments. 

UVic professor Tamara Krawchenko, one of the speakers who took the podium Sunday, has directly felt the effects of the invasion:

“I grew up in both Canada and the Ukraine.” said Krawchenko “My sister has had to flee Kyiv which is being bombarded right now. Other friends and family are fighting for their lives against this aggression.”

She believes the invasion’s effects go far beyond the borders of the Ukraine, being part of a worldwide ideological struggle:

“Ukraine is fighting today, not just for its freedom, but for the freedom of all of us.” said Krawchenko. “They are fighting for what we will define our future as. Will it be a future of barbarism? Of empire? Or is it one of humanity, of democracy, of freedom? We all have to fight that fight, not sit and be complacent in places like Canada.”

She continued, passionately expressing the tragic reality of those fighting in the places like Kyiv: 

“These are young women that should be studying for classes, young men who are taking up arms, when yesterday they were going about their lives, now defending values we hold dear. We have to support them, we cannot let them fail.” 

Photo credit: Colin SmithA similar sentiment was expressed by Ivan Hetzal, who held a sign featuring a crossed out Soviet hammer and sickle:

“I’m a Czechoslovakian refugee,” said Hetzal “I came here with my parents in 1968 after the Russian tanks rolled in. All the bullies, all the dictators are watching to see how the world reacts to what Putin has just done. If he gets away with this, then is Taiwan next? It’s a very slippery slope and a very dangerous time on our planet.” 

However, he was encouraged with the support displayed at the rally Sunday:

“It’s fabulous, I didn’t know what to expect.'' said Hetzal “For a small city like Victoria this is phenomenal. Most people here are not Ukrainian, we’re Canadian, but we understand democracy, and I think people understand how threatened it is, including in North America.”

Photo credit: Colin SmithRiley Bohle, co-President of the UVic Ukrainian Students' Society (UVicUSS), was equally impressed with the show of solidarity by the community:

“It was overwhelming,” said Bohle. “Honestly I found it really hard not to be teary-eyed. I was not expecting this…It’s exactly what we need to do as a country. We’re definitely pulling together as a city, it’s great.”

The UVicUSS is currently selling toques made by fellow members of the union, with all proceeds going towards helping Ukrainian refugees. 

While the local Ukrainian community was out in full force at Sunday’s rally, many held no Ukrainian background or personal connections to the events unfolding in Eastern Europe this week.

Despite this, hundreds still found the rally important enough to display their support, citing the belief in peace and democracy as reason to attend.

Photo credit: Colin Smith