As Russia invades Ukraine, it’s a sombre time for many throughout BC’s capital.
“A deep sense of dread would be the best way to put it. And intense anxiety. And some grief too,” Devon Sereda Goldie told Victoria Buzz in an interview.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Victoria Branch (UCC) president says many are grieving locally, not just for those who have lost their lives, but for the much-loved country that so many people call home.
“Someone I know, her elderly parents live along the border in Ukraine. And they are classic Ukrainians,” Goldie said.
“She tried to get them to leave, and they’ve told her, ‘This is where we’ve lived our whole life, and if it’s our time, it’s our time.’”
“That’s really difficult for a child to hear because we just don’t know. This reality is, living so close to the border, they probably won’t survive if they don’t leave.”
While Goldie says the ongoing crisis impacts people differently, she finds the most prominent feeling circulating in the community right now is fear.
It’s prompting her to invite locals to join in solidarity for the war-stricken country, with a rally planned for this Sunday, February 27th.
At 12:30 p.m., Goldie says people will gather out front of BC’s Legislature on Belleville Street sporting blue and yellow – Ukraine’s colours.
Currently, Ukraine’s flag can be seen soaring about the Legislature’s lawn, something Goldie calls “very, very touching.”
During the event, she asks people to wave their Ukrainian flags and hold up signs stamped with words like “Stand With Ukraine”, “Support Ukraine”, “Stop Putin”, or “Stop Russia.”
“Everybody is really concerned; we’re hurting. To be able to gather together as a community is really special,” Goldie said.
“It’s impactful.”
She urges those in need of emergency help to reach out for resources, as she points to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress website for the latest updates on the crisis.
To provide aid to Ukraine, Goldie encourages people to donate to the #HelpUkraineNow Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Appeal – a GoFundMe campaign organized by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation in partnership with the UCC.
As of Friday afternoon, over $1.2 million has been raised.
“Russia’s aggression will result in one of the largest humanitarian crises of this century,” states the GoFundMe. “Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Ukrainians will be displaced, forced to flee from their homeland.”
In a Thursday tweet, BC Premier John Horgan condemned the attacks, joining Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and allied nations “in deploring this illegal and unjust war.”
Last night, BC Legislature’s ceremonial entrance, front and back fountains, and the Confederation Garden park fountain and waterfall were lit up in blue and yellow, leaving Goldie “incredibly touched.”
As a statement of our solidarity with Ukraine, we have changed the Canada sign on Ship Point to blue and yellow.
What is happening is unsettling for so many of our residents and we hope that the community finds strength in this gesture. #vicharbour pic.twitter.com/mQuEKNguYJ
— Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (@gvicharbour) February 25, 2022
On Friday, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority said it had also changed the famous Canada sign on Ship Point to blue and yellow.
“What is happening is unsettling for so many of our residents, and we hope that the community finds strength in this gesture,” the Authority added.
Stand With Ukraine Victoria Rally
- When: Sunday, February 27th at 12:30 p.m.
- Where: Lawn of the BC Legislature, Belleville Street
