Monday, February 28, 2022




'Enough is enough:' University of Alberta students host rally supporting Ukraine

Before about 150 people in the university's main quad, Natalie Hanas, one of the event's organizers, condemned the Russian Federation's invasion
Author of the article:Hamdi Issawi
Publishing date:Feb 28, 2022 • 3 hours ago • 2 minute read • Join the conversation
Edmontonians take part in a rally in support of Ukraine, organized by the Ukrainian Students' Society (USS) at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, on Monday Feb. 28, 2022. PHOTO BY DAVID BLOOM /Postmedia

University of Alberta students made a heartfelt appeal to stand with Ukraine at a rally Monday as the eastern European country closed the fifth day under Russian attack.

Before about 150 people in the university’s main quad, Natalie Hanas, one of the event’s organizers, condemned the Russian Federation’s invasion and urged the audience as well as the greater community to support Ukraine by asking Members of Parliament to take immediate action.

“This needs to end, and enough is enough,” Hanas said. “We must stand with Ukraine today and every day.”

As students returned to in-person classes this semester, Hanas, president of the Ukrainian Students’ Society, said the demonstration serves to “remind the world of the injustice faced by Ukrainian citizens,” and called on supporters to stem misinformation by sharing verified news about the war and asking MPs to increase sanctions against Russia.

Alla Nedashkivska, chair of the university’s modern languages and cultural studies department, also addressed the audience, urging supporters to overtake Ottawa’s promise to match up to $10 million in Canadian Red Cross donations for Ukrainian aid.

Edmontonians take part in a rally in support of Ukraine, organized by the Ukrainian Students’ Society (USS) at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, on Monday Feb. 28, 2022. PHOTO BY DAVID BLOOM /Postmedia

“Let’s ensure that every wounded Ukrainian soldier has the medical aid they need and deserve,” she said, “and let’s ensure that every Ukrainian baby born in a bomb shelter has the life they deserve.”

She also urged supporters to call on the Canadian government to provide military aid and equipment to aid Ukraine and noted that her department is doing its own part to combat misinformation about the war by sharing the truth about it through conferences, seminars, research and the like.

“The world sees the truth and sees who is the aggressor,” she said. “The world also sees that Ukraine and Ukrainians are fighting for freedom.”

Kalie Keays, a University of Alberta student studying psychology and Ukrainian folklore, attended the rally in solidarity. Having joined a similar event on Sunday, she believes these rallies show the people of Ukraine “that they’re not alone, and they have support all over the world.”

Like her friends, teachers and a roommate, Keays said she also has family in Ukraine, which brings the war closer to home.

“They’re struggling, and I just want to do my best to support them,” Keays said. “It really affects all of us.”

But rallies like these also offer a sense of comfort, she added.

Edmontonians take part in a rally in support of Ukraine, organized by the Ukrainian Students’ Society (USS) at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, on Monday Feb. 28, 2022. PHOTO BY DAVID BLOOM /Postmedia

“Seeing everyone gathered together and hearing all the people speaking in Ukrainian just really felt like home for me,” she said. “It felt like we’re all coming together for one thing that we all really care about.”

On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will be sending anti-tank weapons and “upgraded ammunition” to Ukraine, and banning crude oil imports from Russia.

He also asked the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), an arms-length regulator, to review the presence of Russia Today, a Russian state-sponsored network, on Canadian airways because “there is a significant amount of misinformation circulating from Russia,” Trudeau said.

— With files from Postmedia
hissawi@postmedia.com

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