‘We need your support’: Ukrainians at Winnipeg rally ask Canada not to forget them as invasion enters 3rd year | CBC News
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Manitobans fully packed an auditorium inside the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Sunday for an event showing solidarity with Ukraine as Russia’s full-scale invasion of that country enters its third year.
This weekend marked the two-year anniversary of the invasion, which forced millions of Ukrainians to escape their home country.
Hundreds rallied at the Winnipeg museum Sunday, one of many events across the country organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Council to mark the anniversary.
More than 200,000 Ukrainians have made their way to Canada since the war began. Manitoba has welcomed about 25,000 of them, some of whom showed up to the rally.
WATCH | Hundreds gather at Winnipeg rally in support of Ukraine
Thousands in Manitoba went to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights for speeches, songs and unity
Olena Shapoval came with her family Winnipeg just over a year ago.
“Our families still are in Ukraine, our relatives are fighting for Ukraine,” she said. “The previous two days, I was crying so much.”
Shapoval said she feels like she has to do everything possible to help the war effort and her family, through donations or at least by attending rallies like this.
Volodymyr Denys said his family back home has been safe so far, but that he’s heartbroken the war has been going on for this long.
“People are dying every every day there,” he said. “The war is still there and we need your support.”
‘People tend to forget’
Myroslav Shkandrij, professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba and a member of the local Ukrainian community, gave a speech during the rally.
He said it was important to hold events like this to remind people why Canadians should still stand in solidarity with Ukraine, amid what he described as a “slippage” of support for the war in the West.
“People tend to forget a lot of things that occurred early in the war,” Shkandrij said.
“It’s also important to show Manitobans just how many Ukrainians there are here.… These people are have gone through hell. They’re making new lives, they’re optimistic. They believe that they can make a difference and many of them are just raring to go home.”
Several politicians attended the rally, including Premier Wab Kinew.
Fort Garry MLA Mark Wasyliw said he understands there is a “lot of fatigue” surrounding the war, which isn’t likely to end any time soon.
“The main message today was Ukraine is fighting for us all,” he said.
“This is a battle about democracy. This is a battle about people being able to be free and to be who they are. And so the Ukrainians are on the front lines, but they fight for us all.”
About 200,000 people in Manitoba identify as Ukrainian.
Shapoval said she’s grateful for all Canada has done for her home country so far.
“I really want to thank you, Canadians, for the real support,” she said. “We [as refugees] have felt it so much.”
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