Students, faculty and community members protested Russia's invasion of Ukraine at Sample Gates Friday. Protestors with blue and yellow ribbons, face paint, flags and signs chanted “long live Ukraine” and “we stand with Ukraine.”
The Ukrainian Studies Organization, a student-run group promoting and celebrating Ukraine’s language, culture and history at IU, organized the peaceful protest after Russia officially invaded Ukraine.
In an expression of international solidarity, protestors from various countries, such as Kazakhstan and Estonia, held up their flags and shouted the name of their country of origin. During the protest, the demonstrators began singing the Ukrainian national anthem.
Sarah Phillips, director of the Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, said she calls for NATO to send troops to Ukraine, for donations to be sent to support the Ukrainian military and for humanitarian aid.
“We vehemently reject the war that is happening in Ukraine,” Phillips said. “Ukraine is a sovereign nation, and it has been for 30 years. We're not going to let this happen.”
Phillips encouraged protesters to write to representatives and stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
“Help us stop this senseless war, this unprovoked war,” Phillips said.
IU junior Mason Grey said the goal of the protest was to raise awareness about this issue and show there are people around the world who support Ukraine and are against war.
“This means the future of everybody’s lives,” Grey said. “Russia invading Ukraine, a sovereign country and democracy, questions the fundamental integrity of the geopolitical landscape and democracy as a whole.”
Grey said he is concerned about his friends in Ukraine and what the invasion means for democracy around the world. He said he is angry Ukraine had to fight for years to be free of corruption and authoritarianism.
“To see it all wiped away just like that is very frustrating and worrisome,” Grey said.
Second year Ph.D. student Jodi Kutzner also fears for her friends in Ukraine. She said she attended the protest to give as much support as she can, even from far away.
“I know many people here at IU who have family in Ukraine, and they feel especially helpless,” Kutzner said. “There are small populations of Ukrainians everywhere, including at IU, that we need to support.”
