Sunday, November 30 – Vigil at 1:00 pm, Rally at 1:30pm
On the steps of Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church
Oakley Blvd. & Superior St.
The Rally for the Maidan Revolution: The Revolution of Dignity is a memorial event on the first anniversary to support and honor the heroes who died and those who continue the fight for dignity and freedom of the Ukrainian people and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The Maidan symbolizes the Ukrainian nation’s commitment to defend its dignity and freedom, and its opposition to Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Show your support: bring flags, banners, flowers.
STAND WITH US TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE!
Glory to Ukraine! Glory to her Heroes!
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
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PRESS RELEASE
COMMUNITY PROTEST/RALLY ONE YEAR AFTER THE VICTORIOUS UKRAINIAN MAIDAN REVOLUTION RUSSIA’S WAR AGAINST UKRAINE CONTINUES
The Ukrainian-American community of the Chicagoland area will gather to mark the one-year anniversary of the Maidan Revolution in Ukraine and to protest against Russia’s military invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory.
The rally will be held on Sunday, November 30, 2014, 1:30 pm on the steps of Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church. It will be preceded by a special prayer service at 1:00 pm inside the church to honor the heroes who died and those who continue the struggle for Ukraine’s freedom and independence.
Government officials, representatives of the Polish, Lithuanian, Estonian, Latvian Communities, and Ukrainian-American organizations have been invited and are anticipated to attend.
One year ago, at Kyiv’s Independence Square known as Maidan, Ukrainians stood up against the tyranny of the President Yanukovych’s regime. Hundreds died in months of demonstrations that led to the removal of Yanukovych .
Subsequently, Russia illegally occupied the Crimean Peninsula, and then instigated, manned, supplied and directed a war of aggression in eastern Ukraine. The United Nations has reported massive human rights violations by Russian forces, including torture, arbitrary incommunicado detention, summary executions, forced labour and sexual violence, and the use of cluster munitions in both urban and rural areas.
Russia’s war in Ukraine set off a dangerous collision course with the West. The war represents a major conflict involving the United States and the European Union that together imposed sanctions against Russia – unprecedented since the Cold War. Nonetheless, Russian military hardware and personnel continue to pour into areas of Ukraine under the control of the Kremlin.
Despite a preponderance of evidence, to this day, Russia has refused to acknowledge responsibility for shooting down the Malaysian airlines flight MH 17 over Ukrainian territory, killing 298 innocent victims.
Despite Russian aggression, the people of Ukraine continue to show remarkable bravery in their struggle to protect their country. They need the aid and assistance of the world’s democracies to battle against Russia’s tyranny.
The Ukrainian-American community calls on the government of the United States to provide Ukraine with the weapons to protect their independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The community calls upon:
– President Obama to designate Ukraine as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) immediately and provide military assistance and defensive weapons to Ukraine as permitted by the MNNA.
– The US Senate to adopt S.2828, the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014, unanimously passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
– The House of Representatives to adopt H.R.5190, the Ukrainian Security Assistance Act of 2014, introduced by the co-chairs of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus in July 2014.
The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Division underlines its solidarity with the people of Ukraine in their brave struggle to defend their freedom and democracy, to be a member of the European Union, and to be free of Russian domination.
### UCCA Illinois Division
The UCCA is a non-governmental non-profit organization whose mission is to support cultural, educational, and humanitarian activities that emphasize the Ukrainian American heritage and to provide support for Ukraine’s newly developing democracy. Media contacts:
Paul Bandriwsky
UCCA Illinois Division Vice-President UCCA Illinois Division Vice-President 773-848-6886 pbandriwsky@gmail.com
Marta Farion
UCCA Illinois Division Vice-President UCCA Illinois Division Vice-President
773-490-9797 marta@farion.org