At a protest marking three years since Russia’s invasion, air raid sirens pierced the air—a reminder of the sound Ukrainians have lived with since the war began.
A day before the war’s three-year anniversary, the Kingston community rallied in solidarity with Ukraine. The Ukrainian Association of Kingston (UAK) drew over 100 protesters at City Hall’s Confederation Basin on Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. to oppose the ongoing war in Ukraine. The conflict began on Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion after years of tension following the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
The protest was part of a global initiative led by the Ukrainian World Congress, an international organization ing Ukraine during the war.
After sirens sounded, protesters sang the Ukrainian national anthem, then Canada’s in a show of solidarity. Both anthems were followed by a minute of silence for the lives lost in the war.
Maryna Stoliar, an Education PhD candidate and UAK’s co-director spoke with The Journal about her satisfaction with this year’s protest turnout.
“It’s a really great turnaround because people are coming for the third year, and we still see that the amount of people isn’t getting less, it’s only increasing. So that just illuminates and shows us the dedicated community for Ukraine,” Stoliar said.
She told her own story following the war. Stoliar fled Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv, in November of 2022 with her four-year-old daughter to escape the dangers they faced. The transition to Kingston was difficult, but she feels a strong sense of community and .
“We found our friends here from both the Ukrainian and Canadian community, but on the other hand, every day we miss our land, our people, and our relatives,” she said.
Before arriving in Kingston, Stoliar connected with community on Facebook, who helped her set up a fully furnished apartment with essentials like towels and furniture. Soon after moving, she got involved at Queen’s and decided to pursue her PhD.
The event drew attention from local politicians, including Kingston City Councillor for Williamsville, Vincent Cinanni, and Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands.
“Vladimir Putin thought it [this war] would be over in a matter of days, but here we are, three years later, the people of Ukraine continue to stand up and continue to fight for their independence, continue to fight for their livelihood, and continue to fight for democracy,” Gerretsen said during a speech at the protest.
He stressed his commitment in ensuring the Government of Canada will continuously the Ukrainian cause.
“It’s so incredibly important for us to recognize as those that participate in democratic societies that although this war might be on Ukrainian soil right now, this is a war of Western civilization and the Western ideals of democracy,” he said.
Cinanni spoke to the everyday realities facing those involved in this conflict and the resilience of the Ukrainian population.
“Three years of relentless conflict, three years of pain and suffering, but amidst this darkness, signs of a beacon of hope, a testament of the indomitable human spirit, an unwavering resilience of the Ukrainian people,” he said.
—With files from Meghrig Milkon
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