A global campaign named “Believe in Ukraine” was held on February 24, 2024, in Portland, Oregon. The goal of this campaign was to raise awareness and garner support for Ukraine as it marked a decade since Russia started a war against the country, leading to an attempt to annex Crimea and its current occupation. Since the start of the conflict, Russia’s war in Ukraine has grown and become a source of daily suffering for its people. We extend our gratitude to the team at the Ukrainian Foundation and everyone who contributed to this campaign. We would also like to express our appreciation for the support of Congresswoman Bonamici and Congressman Blumenauer.
Ukraine has been engaged in a centuries-old struggle against Russian aggression, which continues to this day and has resulted in the loss of many brave soldiers. When the invasion began, people in Portland and the surrounding areas were worried and scared and called their relatives in Ukraine. They took to the streets and urged the world community to take decisive action, demanding that the sky over Ukraine be closed. Although everyone hoped for a quick resolution, the war continued. This is the third time that we are gathering in the center of Portland to remind the community of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, which may have become desensitized to the horrors happening far away. We have come together to honor the memory of fallen heroes and innocent people who lost their lives due to the Russian invasion.
In the past two years, our community has experienced a significant increase in population due to people fleeing from sirens and bombings with nowhere else to go. We feel a sense of sadness in our hearts as we witness the ongoing events in Ukraine. Nevertheless, we are grateful to the governments and officials who have provided shelter to those who fled the horrors of war. It is heartening to see the continued support for Ukraine in its fight for freedom and democratic values. We are thankful to all those who have supported and joined us, have faith in our triumph, and are contributing their time and resources. It is the minimum we can do for our country – to remind ourselves that the war is not yet over but still ongoing and that Ukraine requires the world’s assistance now more than ever in this battle.