JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of Ukrainians, Ukrainian Americans, and supporters of Ukraine gathered in Riverside to mark three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The march aimed to honor the thousands of Ukrainians who have died in the conflict and to remind Americans of the importance of standing with Ukraine.
The demonstration comes just days after U.S. government officials negotiated peace talks with Russia without including Ukraine, sparking concern among the Ukrainian community.
The event began with the Ukrainian national anthem, followed by speeches honoring the men and women who have lost their lives since the invasion. Natalia Watson, the demonstration organizer, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “This year, it’s even more important because unfortunately, it looks as if some people forgot who the aggressor was, that Russia invaded Ukraine.”
Viktorya Croskey, a Ukrainian American, expressed her distress over the ongoing conflict.
“It’s devastating to see all the territories we lost. We lost the cities and the people,” she said, adding that her family in Ukraine is coping with the situation day by day.
The possibility of surrendering Ukrainian territory as part of a negotiation to end the war was a topic of concern for many at the demonstration.
Bert Watson, an American supporter of Ukraine, warned, “Every maligned actor is watching and seeing how they can negotiate after they’ve taken other territories.”
Olga White, a Ukrainian refugee now settled in Jacksonville, voiced her concerns over the current immigration freeze affecting Ukrainian refugees. “Now they don’t have any rides. They don’t know what to do. They can’t come back to their homes. They can’t stay here because all the immigration programs have stopped for Ukrainian refugees and it’s really sad,” she said.
Pat Murphy, a Jacksonville resident who took in a Ukrainian family, expressed her fears about the immigration freeze. “We’re terrified and spitting mad. But yes, we’re worried about what may happen to them,” she said.
The demonstration concluded with a silent march down Riverside Boulevard, with participants hoping to garner more support from Jacksonville residents for Ukraine.