UNYF Edmonton
Every second Sunday, UNYF organizes rallies in support of Ukraine. We will continue to hold these rallies in Edmonton for as long as Russia continues its brutal invasion of Ukraine and the deliberate genocide of the Ukrainian people. One of our main goals at this time is to keep raising awareness about the horrific events unfolding in Ukraine, as it is gradually disappearing from the world news every day. We cannot and will not stay silent about it! And we encourage you to join us! Come out to our next rally, to show your support! Below you find information about our previously held rallies.
UNYF Edmonton organized a memorial rally to honour the victims of the Izium tragedy. In September 2022, mass graves were discovered there, becoming one of the most painful symbols of russia’s crimes against Ukraine. We reminded the world that we cannot be silent and we cannot forget. These crimes will not be hidden – Ukraine demands truth, justice, and memory for its people.
UNYF Edmonton organized an Independence Day rally on August 23, 2025. The program featured a rally with guest speakers, a human tryzub formation, a symbolic bike ride across Edmonton, and a human chain of unity.
Together we reminded the world that Ukraine’s independence is still being defended today. We showed that Ukraine is united and unbreakable, and called on Canada and the international community to continue supporting Ukraine, stop russian aggression, free all prisoners, and recognize russia as a terrorist state.
UNYF Edmonton organized a rally and human chain of unity in downtown Edmonton on July 20, 2025, by Walterdale Bridge. The event called on the world to continue supporting Ukraine after more than three years of full-scale war and honoured the memory of the Olenivka terrorist attack, where dozens of Ukrainian POWs were brutally killed. Together, we reminded the world: the war continues, and Ukraine still needs support. At this rally, the memory of the Olenivka terrorist attack was also honoured, where Ukrainian POWs were brutally killed three years ago.
UNYF Edmonton joined the global “Return Alive” campaign with a powerful rally and demonstration dedicated to Ukrainian prisoners of war, who continue to face daily torture and humiliation in russian captivity.
This gathering served as a collective call: We are not silent. We are waiting. We demand their return. Taking place on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Edmonton stood alongside hundreds of cities worldwide to demand justice and remind the world of russia’s blatant violations of the Geneva Conventions.
The program included a symbolic performance with volunteers dressed in dark and camouflage clothing, their hands loosely tied, marked with red paint to represent the pain endured by Ukrainian prisoners. The performance served as a striking reminder of the urgent need to act.
Together, we sent a clear message: Human rights are not a privilege. They are the foundation of humanity.
UNYF Edmonton, in collaboration with UCC Edmonton and UCC Alberta, organized a rally as part of the Global G7 Rally for Ukraine to ensure that Ukraine’s voice was heard loud and clear as world leaders gathered for the G7 Summit on the upcoming weekend.
The rally welcomed everyone to come stand in solidarity with Ukraine. The program included a few impactful speeches, followed by a human chain to demonstrate unity and support. Despite the rainy weather, the people of Edmonton came out to support.
Together, before the G7 Summit began, we sent a clear message: Support Ukraine. Support Justice. Make Russia Pay.
UNYF Edmonton organized a rally dedicated to Vyshyvanka Day. Together, we honoured Ukrainian culture, traditions, and unity — through the vyshyvanka as a symbol of our identity.
One of the event’s key messages was a reminder that the vyshyvanka is not only about clothes or beauty, but also about resistance of the Ukrainian nation. We do not forget the occupied territories of Ukraine, our defenders, and those still forced to live under Russian occupation. The vyshyvanka stands as a shield and a voice of freedom.
During the event, funds were also raised for the For You charitable foundation, which supports newborns affected by the war. Thank you to everyone who contributed!
A special thank you to Canadian government representatives who joined us and supported the Ukrainian community: Kerry Diotte, Heather McPherson, Jackier Armstrong Homeniuk, and Lorne Dach. Thank you for your unwavering support!
Sincere thanks to all the volunteers who made this event possible, and to @uccedmonton and @ucc_apc for partnering in organizing the event.
Together — we not only celebrate, but also help. We do not forget. We keep fighting.
UNYF Edmonton organized a rally dedicated to Ukrainian defenders who are currently in captivity or considered missing. We joined the global peaceful initiative Voices of Captives to remind the world that their names and stories are not forgotten. We will not give up until they all return home.
Hundreds of our defenders remain in russian captivity. For 36 months, most of them have been held in complete isolation – in darkness, without basic human rights, without letters, without calls, without justice. They are heroes who gave everything for Ukraine’s freedom. And for three years, the world has not heard their voices. But we are here to speak for them. We cannot remain silent. This is not only a fight for Ukrainian soldiers – it is a fight for the very idea of humanity.
At this rally, we also reflected on the heartbreaking news from that morning and the past week. Dozens of innocent lives, including children, were lost in brutal russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. We will not forgive.
We thank @heart_in_action for launching the global Voices of Captives initiative and engaging our community.
Three years ago, the world learned about the mass murder of innocent Ukrainians in Bucha. Hundreds were killed, including children. Torture, rape, abductions… Ukraine recognized it as genocide, and the world must do the same. Three years have passed, but the war continues, and russia keeps committing similar crimes every day. UNYF Edmonton organized a rally to remind the world that the genocide of Ukrainians is still ongoing.
In light of recent events that President Trump suspended military aid for Ukraine, as well as given Trump’s recent attacks on President Zelenskyy and his unilateral concessions to russia being a betrayal of Ukraine, UNYF Edmonton organized an emergency rally to stand with Ukraine, defend the truth, and ask for more military aid for Ukraine, as cutting off military aid to Ukraine endangers global security.
February 24, 2025, marked three years since russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. UNYF Edmonton organized a rally, in collaboration with UCC Edmonton, UCC APC, and Axios Men’s Ensemble, to stand together in unity and call on the world for action.
The rally was held at St. Basil Ukrainian Catholic Church and the program included a prayer to honour the sacrifices of brave soldiers and commemorate the countless innocent civilian lives lost, as well as speeches from Canadian government representatives and Ukrainian community leaders. “The War Is Not Over” exhibition was also displayed at the St. Basil Cultural Center after the program, along with a short film about the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
At the event, donations were collected for the Come Back Alive Foundation, which helps strengthen Ukraine’s security and defence sector, and over $8.5K CAD was raised.
The war is not over, fierce battles continue for the freedom of Ukraine and thousands of Ukrainian soldiers remain in captivity. UNYF Edmonton organized yet another rally to remind the world that #TheWarIsNotOver and to #StandWithUkraine.
