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.
Due to the numerous missile strikes that russia has launched on Ukraine over the last few days of summer, UNYF Edmonton organized an emergency rally. Russia strikes daily: Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Makarove. On September 3rd, at least 51 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in Poltava alone! It is crucial that we come together to spread the word about how we can support our country during this difficult time.
UNYF Edmonton organized its annual Independence Day rally in support of Ukraine, featuring a brief program with speeches from representatives of various Ukrainian organizations in the community, including UCC Edmonton, UCC Alberta, the Ukrainian Youth Association, and the League of Ukrainian Canadians. Following the program, attendees assembled to form a human tryzub, which was captured from above by a drone. In collaboration with the Consulate General of Ukraine in Edmonton, the traditional bikeathon took place after the rally. The bikeathon route was meticulously planned to create the shape of a tryzub on the Edmonton city map, as tracked by GPS. Meanwhile, those not participating in the bikeathon formed a human chain of unity along a nearby street.
The city of Edmonton was filled with blue and yellow to show that Ukraine is united and unbreakable! Because although Independence Day is meant to be a celebration, unfortunately, it’s also something we continue to fight for today. UNYF Edmonton and other speakers at the event urged Canada to continue supporting Ukraine, doing everything possible to stop russian aggression, liberate the occupied Ukrainian territories and imprisoned defenders, and recognize russia as a terrorist state!
July 2024 marked two years since russia committed another war crime – the terrorist attack on the Olenivka colony, where Ukrainian prisoners of war were held. The defenders of “Azovstal” left the Mariupol steel plant and were captured by russian forces. Two months later, dozens of them were killed in the attack, resulting in at least 50 dead and over 100 injured. This year, UNYF Edmonton again organized a rally and demonstration to honour the victims and ensure the world does not forget about this attack.
Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) recently launched a major campaign before the 75th NATO Summit in Washington from July 9-11 2024, with officials, influencers, civil society leaders, and experts in all 32 NATO member countries to promote NATO’s membership invitation for Ukraine. UWC has called on all activists and organizations that support Ukraine to join its advocacy campaign, #UkraineInNATO to promote the country’s accession to NATO to strengthen the Alliance amid Russia’s threats. As such, UNYF Edmonton has also joined the campaign by organizing a rally dedicated to this theme.
UNYF Edmonton organized an emergency rally as a result of russia’s horrific mass attack on Ukraine and the Okhmatdyt children’s cancer hospital in Kyiv the morning of July 8th. The news that morning were absolutely heartbreaking, being full of the bloodied faces of innocent already suffering children and endless destruction. The number of the dead and injured was rising quick.
There were a few speakers at the rally in addition to UNYF Edmonton, including a representative from UCC Edmonton, UCC APC, and the Consulate General of Ukraine in Edmonton. Funds were also raised for the reconstruction of the Okhamtdyt hospital, where almost $4,000 CAD was collected.
UNYF Edmonton organized a special rally on Father’s Day, dedicated to all the fathers who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Ukraine and will never see their children again, as well as all the young men who never had the chance to become fathers. The rally was meant to honour these heroes who gave everything for our future and fought bravely, leaving behind families who now carry the weight of their absence. It was a tribute to their sacrifice and a reminder of the price of our freedom.
Since February 24, Children’s Day is every day for Ukrainians. Because every day since then Ukraine needs to protect the most precious thing in the world – its children’s lives.
More than 1,899 children have been affected in Ukraine due to russia’s full-scale invasion. As of now, 548 children have died, and more than 1,351 have been injured. There are also reports of 19,505 children deported to russia. Behind each of these numbers is a shattered child’s life, a stolen childhood, and a destroyed family. Every child’s life taken by the russia is a piece of our future that they are stealing from us.
UNYF Edmonton organized a rally and demonstration to remind everyone of russia’s inhumane war crimes that impact the children of Ukraine and to commemorate the children who have become victims of these crimes.
Two years of captivity. Two years of their loved ones not hearing from them.
UNYF Edmonton organized a rally and demonstration to remind everyone what russians are truly capable of — inhumane, horrific acts of torture and executions of unarmed, captured Ukrainian soldiers. And the unimaginably cruel fate that the defenders of Azovstal suffered in captivity.
For more than two years now, the full-scale war of russia against Ukraine has been raging on, and the aggressor keeps committing horrific war crimes in the occupied territories. Ukrainian soldiers are still bravely and steadfastly resisting the barbaric invaders, protecting the whole world from the further advancement of russia’s bloody imperialistic aggression. And many of them continue to remain in captivity.
This rally was dedicated to the theme “Free Azovstal Defenders”. Not everyone has returned home yet. More than 2000 Ukrainian defenders remain in captivity.
We cannot stay silent about this. These brave warriors gave us the opportunity to hold back the enemy, and the least we can do is talk about it, hold rallies, and spread awareness.
While in the rest of the world children are gifting their mothers flowers on Mother’s Day, Ukrainian children are bringing them to their mothers’ graves. This is the reality in Ukraine today.
As a result of russian invasion of Ukraine, every mother and new baby is a lifeline to Ukraine’s future, as every new child is a challenge and threat to russia that the new generation will stay to rebuild and carry on. That’s why mothers and children have become one of the top targets of russia’s terrorist attacks – maternity hospitals, day care, and educational and residential infrastructure, having nothing to do with military operations, is attacked every single day!
UNYF Edmonton organized a rally and demonstration to show the world what Mother’s Day looks like in Ukraine due to russia’s invasion.
UNYF Edmonton organized a human chain and walk of unity to show that despite being thousands of kilometres apart, the Ukrainian community in Edmonton is united and powerful, and continues to stand with Ukraine during these challenging times and tirelessly scream about the war and help Ukrainian defenders.
Two years ago, we learned about the mass murder of Ukrainian civilians, including children, in Bucha, accompanied by abductions, torture, and rape. Over 600 residents of the city perished. And over 1000 residents in the region. Ukraine recognized this as genocide. The world must do the same.
It was two years ago, but the occupier continues to commit such crimes against humanity and the war is not over yet. Therefore, UNYF Edmonton organized this rally and demonstration to remind the world that the genocide of Ukrainians is still ongoing.
A demonstration was held in front of Canada Place where participants laid on the group as a visual representation of what was seen when Bucha was finally liberated after 33 days of occupation – dead bodies all over the streets, difficult to bypass. This demonstration was among some of the most emotionally difficult ones so far.
Bucha. We remember.
Every day we wake up and read in the news about yet another russian terrorist attack. Almost every day in Ukraine begins with a missile strike, and every night is interrupted by shelling. Every day, loud sirens and explosions resound. Every day, innocent civilians and children are dying, and Ukrainian defenders are lost every hour on the front lines.
Since the first day of russian invasion, the occupant has been killing the civilian population of Ukraine, bombing, attacking with missiles and drones, and shelling residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, hospitals… And despite all the evidence and testimonies, russia continues to deny it.
This rally was held as a call for the world to help stop the daily russian terrorist attacks in Ukraine.
Children are the future. And right now, Ukraine’s future is being destroyed by Russia. UNYF Edmonton organized a rally and demonstration to draw attention to the dire situation that many children in Ukraine are currently facing – they’re being killed, severely injured, raped, and deported by russian military forces. This rally was also meant to commemorate these children of war.
Candles and toys covered in red paint (to symbolize blood) were brought by rally attendees for the demonstration. The central figure of the demonstration was a young girl symbolizing Mother Ukraine, mourning the daily loss of her children due to ongoing russian aggression. Attached to the red fabric adorning the girl were dozens of photos depicting the innocent victims of this aggression. As per the official statistics, at least 541 children have been killed over the past two years. In reality, however, the number is much higher.
UNYF Edmonton, in collaboration with UCC, organized a rally concerning the second anniversary of the brutal and unprovoked war in Ukraine. Over two thousand people gathered near the Violet King Henry Plaza in Edmonton to show their continuous solidarity with Ukraine, as the war rages on.
Numerous speakers were featured at the rally, including representatives from the government of Alberta. A short film showing Russia’s cruelty over the past two years, created especially for the event, was screened. Candles were lit and laid out in the shape of Ukraine’s borders to commemorate the courageous soldiers who have fallen while defending Ukraine as well as the innocent lives lost as a result of Russia’s aggression and war crimes. 50 posters with photos, names, and stories of the fallen Ukrainian soldiers were displayed in a human chain. “New Life” choir performed the anthem of Canada and Ukraine. And donations were collected for humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
It was a difficult and emotional day for every Ukrainian. However, people gathered to spend this day together in unity. Ukrainian communities and diaspora organizations all over the world held 1023 support events for Ukraine on this day. These peaceful rallies spanned 746 cities across 69 countries on every continent, including Antarctica.
UNYF Edmonton organized a rally as a call to action for the world to help free Ukrainian defenders from russian captivity, some of whom remained there for over 600 days, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In November 2023, Ukraine reported that at least 4337 Ukrainians remain in russian captivity. As such, we must continue to shout about them, so that everyone is returned home. It’s important to understand that it’s our responsibility to give these innocent people a voice, as russian terrorists have taken it away from them!
A rally and a demonstration were organized. As well, professional photos were taken of all rally attendees with posters about the captured Ukrainian defenders and civilians, to later launch a social media campaign “Free Ukrainian Defenders” to spread awareness.
Despite the bone-chilling -40°C temperatures outside, the spirit of resilience prevails as the war rages on. The unwavering commitment to the cause was evident in Edmonton this Sunday, where a dedicated group of Ukrainians defied the cold to gather for a powerful car rally in support of Ukraine. Adorned with photos, posters, and a sea of flags and Ukrainian symbols, the convoy cut through the frosty air, making a bold statement amid the everyday traffic. The message was clear: the war is NOT over, and we must continue to scream about it, no matter where you are and what the weather is like.