KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Citians turned out to the fountain at Mill Creek Park Saturday to express support for Ukraine.
The rally, organized in just the last two days by the Ukrainian Club of Kansas City, drew support as Russian attacks against Ukraine continued Saturday.
KSHB 41 News reporter Dan Cohen estimated that hundreds turned out to the rally, with signs proclaiming "Stand with Ukraine."
Happening now on the Kansas City Country Club Plaza - hundreds are demonstrating in support of Ukraine. Organizers are passing out information to donate to resources assisting on the ground. @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/6YOZOriCWP
— Dan Cohen (@DanCohenTV) February 26, 2022
Bohdan Ivantsyk attended the rally. As a Ukrainian native living in Kansas City, he said he was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.
"I was expecting about 20 people, because I know Ukrainians in the area, and when I saw the amount of people here, I was very impressed," Ivantsyk said.
He mentioned the past few days have been "very hard" as he still has family in Ukraine. While they take refuge in bomb shelters, Ivantsyk is working to contact people, raise funds and spread news to be "as helpful as possible."
"If everybody does something small, with millions doing something small, there will be significant change," he said.
As for Oleksandra Wallo, University of Kansas associate professor of Ukrainian studies, she attributes the success of Saturday's rally to people recognizing the crisis in Ukraine as a "just cause" worth supporting.
"It’s heartwarming, it’s wonderful. I’ve never seen this many people get together for a Ukrainian cause in Kansas City before," Wallo said. "I just have no words to describe how grateful I am for all of these people coming out."
Hopeful the conflict can come to an end, Wallo remains concerned for her family back in Ukraine.
"It’s a blur. I hardly sleep," she said. "I’m on the phone with my family all the time. If I’m not on the phone, I’m checking the news, reading the reports, praying. Hoping for the best."
To view a list of resources available to support Ukraine from Kansas City, click here.
