Monday, 16 Jun 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Ukraine supporters rally in Warren amid ‘total shock’ of Russian invasion
World

Ukraine supporters rally in Warren amid ‘total shock’ of Russian invasion

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Ukraine supporters rally in Warren amid ‘total shock’ of Russian invasion
SHARE

Ukrainian Americans and their supporters rallied outside a banquet hall Thursday to express solidarity with a country that is under military attack from neighboring Russia.

Holding up signs that read “Help Ukraine” and “Stop Putin,” hundreds withstood the cold for two hours to declare they stand with a land many of them have roots in.

They chanted “Putin kaput,” calling for an end to the rule of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and “Slava Ukraini,” or glory to Ukraine.

“It’s a difficult time for everybody,” said Mykola Murskyj, chair of the Ukrainian-American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan. “Especially for those who have family and friends that are in the regions affected, which is unfortunately all of Ukraine.”

Related: Russian invasion to hit US consumers, automakers already stretched by chip shortage

More: Wall Street woes build after Russia invades Ukraine

Ksenia Zahaiko, 8, center, and Elizabet Chekovich, center right, hold signs in support of Ukraine during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.Ksenia Zahaiko, 8, center, and Elizabet Chekovich, center right, hold signs in support of Ukraine during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.

Ksenia Zahaiko, 8, center, and Elizabet Chekovich, center right, hold signs in support of Ukraine during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.

The crowd was made up mostly of people of Ukrainian descent, but also included supporters of Lithuanian, Bangladeshi and Russian descent, among others. There are more than 39,000 Michigan residents who are of Ukrainian descent, according to 2019 census data. They make up one of the largest and most active Ukrainian communities in the U.S., said local leaders.

The rally was the third in support of Ukraine this month in metro Detroit and a fourth one is planned for 1 p.m. Sunday at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit.

“It is hard to watch,” said Olena Danylyuk, a Bloomfield Hills resident who attended the rally. “We are extremely disturbed, saddened, and angered by the senseless violence.”

Danylyuk, an immigrant from Ukraine who is vice chair of the Ukrainian-American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan, is among many who worry about family and friends in their native country.

More: Ukrainian Americans in Michigan ‘watch in horror’ as Russia attacks

More: Ukrainian Americans in Michigan anxious amid tensions with Russia

She said one of her sisters and her children have fled the capitol of Kyiv, hiding in a small town. Others are in the city of Lviv. She said they were not expecting a war today.

Olena Danylyuk during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.Olena Danylyuk during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.

Olena Danylyuk during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.

“They woke up in total shock,” Danylyuk said.

Elected officials who spoke at the rally included U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, Warren Mayor James Fouts, and Dearborn school board member Irene Watts, who is of Ukrainian descent.

Related: President Biden addresses Russia’s ‘brutal assault’ on Ukraine, further sanctions on Russia

Levin told the Free Press on Thursday afternoon that he supports the Biden administration’s efforts and plans for sanctions against Russia.

“Putin has chosen an imperial war of aggression that’s completely unnecessary,” Levin said.

Russia’s attack will “go down in history as a catastrophic mistake,” Levin said.

U.S. Rep. Andy Levin speaks during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.U.S. Rep. Andy Levin speaks during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.

U.S. Rep. Andy Levin speaks during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.

While Levin supports sanctions, he doesn’t favor sending U.S. troops.

“It’s not an option,” he said.

Levin hosted a town hall meeting on Facebook on Thursday afternoon with Ukrainian American leaders in metro Detroit.

“This is a nightmare,” that could give a “green light” to other authoritarian governments, such as in China, to attack other nations, Murskyj said of Russia’s attack during the Facebook town hall meeting hosted by Levin.

Putin is “deluded in his thoughts,” Levin said. “We stand in complete solidarity with the Ukrainian people.”

Levin, Fouts and state Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit, also said they would strongly support the U.S. taking in some refugees from Ukraine if they are displaced.

“As Michiganders, we have an opportunity to change people’s lives by stepping up & offering aid for the displaced refugees. #RefugeesAreWelcomeHere,” Hollier wrote on Twitter.

In addition to Levin and Hollier, a wide range of officials in Michigan, from Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell to U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, among others, released statements expressing support for Ukraine.

Victoria Potapenk, center, and her sister Katherine Potapenk, both of Clinton Township, hold signs in support of Ukraine during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.Victoria Potapenk, center, and her sister Katherine Potapenk, both of Clinton Township, hold signs in support of Ukraine during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.

Victoria Potapenk, center, and her sister Katherine Potapenk, both of Clinton Township, hold signs in support of Ukraine during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.

U.S. Sen. Peters of Michigan, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Ukrainian Caucus, said in a statement: “I unequivocally condemn Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine — an appalling and illegal assault on a sovereign nation and democracy itself. This is a dark and dangerous moment. The U.S. and our European allies must send Putin an unmistakable message by swiftly enacting crippling sanctions to hold Russia accountable.”

At the rally Thursday, a large banner in front had a map of Ukraine that read underneath: “Peace. Justice. Dignity. We stand in solidarity with those defending their freedom and ours.”

Katherine Potapenko, of Cilnton Township, held up a sign at the protest that read: “Shame to Putin, Shame to Russia!”

She pleaded for assistance for Ukraine.

Sofiya Pavliv and Ivan Kaftan, both of Warren, hold a sign that reads "Peace to the Whole World" during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.Sofiya Pavliv and Ivan Kaftan, both of Warren, hold a sign that reads "Peace to the Whole World" during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.

Sofiya Pavliv and Ivan Kaftan, both of Warren, hold a sign that reads “Peace to the Whole World” during a rally for Ukraine at the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren on Feb. 24, 2022.

“We need your help,” she said. “Don’t turn a blind eye because you know we would be there for you.”

Murskyj, chair of the Ukrainian-American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan, said in a statement: “There’s only one aggressor in this — Russia. … Innocent people are losing their homes and their lives.”

Murskyj added: “We urge our fellow Americans to pray for the resolution of this senseless violence and for the safety of the Ukrainian people.”

Staff photographer Junfu Han contributed to this report.

Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or Twitter @nwarikoo

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ukraine supporters rally in Warren amid ‘total shock’ of Russian invasion

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Blinken says he’s ‘convinced’ Putin will try to overthrow Ukrainian government Blinken says he’s ‘convinced’ Putin will try to overthrow Ukrainian government
Next Article Live Updates: As Russians Advance on Kyiv, Ukraine’s President Says He’s Target No. 1 Live Updates: As Russians Advance on Kyiv, Ukraine’s President Says He’s Target No. 1

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Florence Pugh Missing ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Press Conference, Will Still Walk Venice Red Carpet

As the world premiere of “Don’t Worry Darling” at the Venice International Film Festival approaches,…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Shannon Sharpe Says Chiefs WR ‘Wants To Develop Up’ After Being Launched

(Photograph by Cindy Ord/Getty Pictures for SiriusXM )   The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs made a…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

50 Cent’s ‘Many Males’ Producer Distances Tune From Trump Capturing, Marketing campaign

Play video content material TMZ.com 50 Cent took full benefit of his music "Many Men"…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Adam Sandler to Receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present the 24th Mark Twain…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Tehran accuses Israel of searching for to increase battle after assault on gasoline facility
World

Tehran accuses Israel of searching for to increase battle after assault on gasoline facility

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Keir Starmer in diplomatic push to go off Center East disaster earlier than G7 summit in Canada
World

Keir Starmer in diplomatic push to go off Center East disaster earlier than G7 summit in Canada

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Australia information dwell: Marles says Israel has proper to self-defence in opposition to Iran however is ‘deeply concerned’ over potential escalation
World

Australia information dwell: Marles says Israel has proper to self-defence in opposition to Iran however is ‘deeply concerned’ over potential escalation

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Toll of Trump’s USAID cuts on Australian assist revealed, with tasks to assist youngsters amongst hardest hit
World

Toll of Trump’s USAID cuts on Australian assist revealed, with tasks to assist youngsters amongst hardest hit

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?