Londoners are being asked to show their support for mothers in war-ravaged Ukraine ahead of Mother’s Day by marching in Victoria Park.
The London branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress has planned the march in the downtown green space for 2 p.m. on Saturday.
“We want to honour and support the women of Ukraine in this time of crisis, this time of war. We want to show that we are thinking of them and support them,” said Ola Nowosad of the London branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. “Some of these women, especially in the eastern part of the country, have lost their homes, their jobs, and more importantly they have lost family members. They don’t have security and calm anymore. Their lives have been turned upside down. It really is hard to imagine how much they have lost.”
Millions of people have fled from Ukraine since Russia began its attack at the end of February. That includes roughly 300,000 refugees in Warsaw, Poland, many of whom are women and children. Officially, 500 children have been killed in the conflict, although that number is believed to be ten times higher than what has been reported, added Nowosad.
“When I talk to relatives [in Ukraine] they describe the fear and the uncertainty they have when they hear air raids almost daily,” said Nowosad.
She hopes that Saturday’s march will let mothers still in Ukraine and those forced to flee know that the world has not forgotten them.
“The moral support for people going through war is important,” Nowosad said.
Attendees are asked to wear blue and yellow (the colours of the Ukrainian flag) and bring strollers as a sign of motherhood. The march will begin at the entrance at Central Avenue and Richmond Street. Donations are not being collected as part of the march. Anyone looking to give is encouraged to do so through the Canada Ukraine Foundation.
The last rally held at the park in honour of Ukraine drew close to 300 people. Nowosad hopes this march will bring even more people out.
“The London Ukrainian community has felt compassion since this whole invasion began. There is a lot of gratitude for that,” said Nowosad.
