Protesters, politicians gather in solidarity with Ukraine: ‘We will not abandon them’

Just about a month into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of Chicagoans once again gathered in solidarity with Ukraine and called for continued U.S. support for the embattled nation.

Dozens of blue and yellow Ukrainian flags flew above a crowd of hundreds standing at the base of the Water Tower while community leaders and politicians made speeches from the top of the stairs.

“These people are trying in every way possible to preserve their families, their homes and their love of Ukraine,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. “Can we do anything less than to stand out here on a chilly day, in the sunshine, in a peaceful setting and pledge our solidarity to the same cause? No. We need to stand together.”

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., who’s of Ukrainian descent, also pledged her support when she spoke to the crowd.

“I understand you want more, we all want more, we want to see the defeat once and for all of Vladimir Putin,” Schakowsky said.

Attendee Larissa Iwankiw, whose sister and other family members are in Ukraine, said she will continue showing up for Ukraine until the war is over.

“We will not forget and we will not stop,” Iwankiw, 65, said. “I grew up here, I went to Ukrainian school, I go to a Ukrainian church, our children speak both [Ukrainian and English]. Just because we are here doesn’t mean we will ever forget. We will not abandon them.”

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Serhiy Koledov, Ukraine’s consul general in Chicago, called on the U.S. government and NATO to help Ukraine by establishing a no-fly zone over the country, providing military aircraft and tanks, cutting remaining economic ties with Russia, and more.

“Russian forces can keep killing thousands of our citizens, destroying our cities,” Koledov said. “Further actions need to be done immediately.”

Also speaking at the rally were U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., and Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd).

Hopkins, whose constituents include residents of Chicago’s Ukrainian Village community, told the crowd to continue holding himself and other politicians accountable.

Ukrainian supporters hold up flags and posters during a rally Sunday to condemn Russian president Vladimir Putin and acknowledge continued support for Ukraine. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

1 of 5

A woman puts her hand on her chest during the playing of Ukraine’s national anthem on Sunday at Millennium Park. The event had started with a rally at the Water Tower to condemn Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The crowd then marched to the Cloud Gate sculpture in the park. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

2 of 5

Ukrainian supporters march from the Water Tower to Millennium Park on Sunday after a rally to condemn Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

3 of 5

Supporters of Ukraine march — or are carried — from the Water Tower to Millennium Park on Sunday after a rally to condemn Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

4 of 5

A crowd gathered Sunday at the Water Tower to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

5 of 5

“Patience in the face of mass murder would be insanity,” Hopkins said. “Forbearance, while innocent children are being killed, would be unacceptable.”

The group marched from the Water Tower, into the Loop and on to Millennium Park, chanting “close the sky,” “U.S.A. support Ukraine,” among other things.

As the rally concluded, the Ukrainian national anthem rang through the park. Protesters sang in unison as blue and yellow smoke enveloped the Cloud Gate sculpture.

Katie Anthony/Sun-Times