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Hundreds rally in support of Ukraine in NC capital

At least 300 people gathered to show support for Ukraine during the "Stand for Ukraine rally" at the state capitol in Raleigh on Sunday, March 20. Photograph by Ukrainians in the Carolinas leader Olena Kozlova-Pates.

On Sunday, more than 300 people gathered at the state capitol in Raleigh for the "Stand with Ukraine rally." There were speeches by elected officials and others, traditional music performances, lots of flag-waving, and about a dozen baby strollers were on display to symbolize the children who've perished in the war. The event was organized in part by Ukrainians in the Carolinas — a loose group of volunteers shipping medical supplies, assisting refugees, and hosting cultural events.

Director Olena Kozlova-Pates has family members still in Ukraine. She says invasions like this one have been going on in the region for hundreds of years.

“They're fighting for their identity,” says Kozlova-Pates. “They're fighting for their homes, they're fighting for their land, they're fighting for their language, for their culture, for their history, and for preserving that culture and history and language and home. So, it's the type of a fight that they will never give up until their last fighter.”

Ukrainians in the Carolinas are asking for increased weapons and warplanes shipments, humanitarian corridors, and legislation that allows Ukrainian refugees to enter the United States.

 

 

Before his arrival in the Triad, David had already established himself as a fixture in the Austin, Texas arts scene as a radio host for Classical 89.5 KMFA. During his tenure there, he produced and hosted hundreds of programs including Mind Your Music, The Basics and T.G.I.F. Thank Goodness, It's Familiar, which each won international awards in the Fine Arts Radio Competition. As a radio journalist with 88.5 WFDD, his features have been recognized by the Associated Press, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas. David has written and produced national stories for NPR, KUSC and CPRN in Los Angeles and conducted interviews for Minnesota Public Radio's Weekend America.

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