Ukraine supporters rally in Warren amid 'total shock' of Russian invasion

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."

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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.

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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.

"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.

"We stand with Ukraine," Fouts said to the crowd. "We need to ... deter Russian aggression. ... Every country has the right to be independent."

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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.

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.

"I welcome them," Fouts said.

"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.

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.

"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