'The war is not over': Calgarians continue to rally in support of Ukraine months into Russian invasion
CBC
With flags and fists in the air, Calgarians rallied on Sunday to stand in support of those in Ukraine suffering through the effects of war.
The rally, organized by Calgary's branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), took place at Poppy Plaza Sunday evening.
Olena Sadovnik, who attended the rally, arrived in Canada from Ukraine on July 6. She remembers what it was like when Russian forces began circling the city of Kyiv.
"We spent the week living on the floor. Our apartment was barricaded," she said.
"I hope that was the worst week in my life."
Sadovnik, whose husband is still in Ukraine doing humanitarian work, says while it's encouraging to see Canadians support the Ukrainian people, she hopes the government will step up with financial, political and military support.
It has been more than five months since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February of this year. Thousands have died since the start of the war.
Sanzhar Baiseitov, one of the rally organizers, said it's clear local attention to the war in Ukraine has dwindled. Attendance at Sunday's event was much smaller than the hundreds who participated in rallies in support of Ukraine earlier this year.
Baiseitov said Calgarians should remember the fight is ongoing.
"The war is not over and the severity of war is not going down," he said.
"Cities, villages, towns are being bombarded on a daily basis in Ukraine."
Baiseitov immigrated to Canada from Kazakhstan 13 years ago. When he watched the war commence, he felt he had to do something in support of Ukraine, especially since Kazakhstan also has a tense relationship with Russia.
He said attending rallies and supporting the Ukrainian effort in any small way can make a difference.
"We can't stand by and [watch] this happen," Baiseitov said.