WARREN, Mich. (WWJ) – As tensions at the Russia-Ukraine border continued to intensify over the weekend, Metro Detroiters gathered Sunday for a “Stand With Ukraine” rally in support of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian-American Crisis Response Committee’s demonstration at Warren’s Ukrainian Cultural Center on Ryan Road on Sunday was a “Commemoration of the Heavenly Hundred,” a tribute to the more than 100 victims of a mass shooting in Ukraine on Feb. 20, 2013.
The commemoration comes as reports surface that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be ordering an invasion of the neighboring Ukraine.
The committee organized the rally for attendees to sign an open letter to the President and to Congress, to ensure their voices are heard.
"Thank you for all you are doing to help Ukraine defend itself and help prevent further escalation of the already eight-year-long military occupation of sovereign Ukrainian territory by the Russian Federation," the letter says.
"Unfortunately, the current extreme threat facing Ukraine and its Euro-Atlantic partners is the product of insufficient deterrence. As Russia's leadership continues to escalate this years-long war in Ukraine, it's also important to understand that the Russian people themselves are also victims of their autocratic ruler," the letter goes on to say.
Leaders of the rally claim what Putin "is afraid of most" is what Ukrainians aspire to, "and it is that same democratic ideal that makes America strong."
“As Ukraine continues to grow as a democratic nation, where the rule of law and respect for human rights are increasingly the norm, the Russian people themselves might follow.”
Ukrainian-Americans in Metro Detroit gathered to show support for their homeland as the uncertainty grows.
A video posted to Facebook in the group "Ukrainian Community of Metro Detroit" said the rally was to “unite our voices in calling on our fellow Americans to show support for the Ukrainian peoples’ right to live free and in peace in their own land.”
“At the Crisis Response Committee, established by the organized Ukrainian American community in Michigan, we believe in our shared responsibility to build a vibrant Ukrainian American community, preserve our unique heritage, and promote US/Ukraine relations,” an event organizer said. “That’s why we at CRC are committed to coming to the aid of Ukraine at its hour of great need. Please help us unite our voices in calling on our fellow Americans to - Stand With Ukraine!”
Mykola Murskyj one of the organizers of Sunday’s rally, told WWJ on Sunday Putin’s reportedly pending attack is motivated by vanity.
“Vladimir Putin is a dictator and he is concerned that in the history books, 200-300 years from now he’s not gonna have a “the great” after his name,” Murskyj said. “He’s pretty worried about that. So one way he can make sure of that is conquering territories for the great Russian empire. That’s what his goal is.”
Murskyj says a conflict between Ukraine and Russia would have a global impact, including in the U.S. and right here in Metro Detroit.
“Oh, it’ll be bad,” he said.
“So, unfortunately, if they go to war, these countries are massive exporters of goods and transit countries for other goods. So we should expect increasing gas prices in the U.S., even apart from sanctions, we’re gonna see an increase in gas prices in the U.S., because oil’s gonna be harder to export for both of these countries,” Murskyj said.
Other countries, like Israel and Libya – “both countries for whom stability is extremely important,” Murskyj says – get about 40% of their wheat from Ukraine.
On Sunday CBS News reported the U.S. has received intelligence that Russian commanders have been given orders to proceed with an invasion of Ukraine.
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