West Side community supports Ukraine

By Jamie Hall, Kamesha Jones and Jazmina Rivera
Bengal News West reporters

Members of the West Side Ukrainian community were among those who marched across the Peace Bridge to meet their fellow Canadian comrades in a peaceful protest against the violence that many activists were facing in Kiev, Ukraine in December.

Four months later, Russia has annexed Crimea and the Ukraine has conceded and is facing  more challenges. Buffalo activists continue to be concerned about Ukraine's future and standing by to help. 

A strong community movement on the West Side  continues to provide supplies for Ukrainian efforts. Anyone who wishes to support Ukraine’s cause is welcome to make  contributions that will fund Ukrainian organizations that help those in need of basic resources or medical attention. Organizations are also accepting warm clothing to send to the activist in Ukraine. 

“In times of crisis and uncertainty people want to come together,” Dianna Derhak, member of the Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center said. “Alone there’s very little you can do, but if you start joining together things do change.” 

When Slavka Kutsay, a student activist and journalist arrived in Buffalo in March she sparked conversation of the realities of activism in times of conflict. Kutsay shared stories at SUNY Buffalo State on March 3 about her experiences as a peacefulprotester during the ongoing conflict in her country.

“Someone called it the revolution of dignity,” Kutsay said. “One of Ukrainian poets said that ‘It is better to be a drop in the ocean, rather than to be a drop of blood in the asphalt.’ ”

Organizations have been following the conflict and setting up ways to show their advocacy in the West Side. Yuri Hreshchyshyn, president of the Ukrainian-American CivicCenter,  has been involved with at least three peaceful protests.

“The first thought was to do a quick positive, supportive rally in front of City Hall,” Hreshchyshyn said. “We organized that in about a week’s time and walked around Niagara Square, so that was the first one.”

Yuri Hreshchyshyn, on the local response to Ukraine's plight:

Derhak helped organize the second demonstration, held on the Peace Bridge. The idea was to have both the Canadian and the American group of supporters meet at the bridge at the same time. Although there were dangerous weather conditions in Canada, supporters still came out for the cause.

“The weather was horrific that day,” Derhak said. “Our Canadian friends had an ice storm and electricity was out. Even though the winds were whipping us around we had a very nice turn out.”

 Members of both the Ukrainian-American Civic Center and Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center attended the rally as well as members of the Ukrainian Congress of America and congregations of Ukrainian affiliated churches in the area.

A third rally was held on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. American advocates gathered for this one as well.

Along with non-violent protests, social media has helped in gathering people to join in peaceful activism. During her lecture Kutsay mentioned how important social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, have had a huge impact on bringing awareness to others. Things such as sharing Facebook posts or re-tweeting news, videos, or pictures can help the cause. Hreschyshyn believes that traditional media still makes an impact as well.

“Well social media is good to get a message across quickly,” Hreschyshyn said. “It takes the weight of traditional press to make something more tangible for the general population.”