Demonstrators gather in front of New York's Ukrainian Consulate (09/22/02)

Demonstrators gather in front of New York's Ukrainian Consulate

by Andrew Nynka

NEW YORK - Demonstrators critical of Ukraine's ruling elite gathered in front of the Ukrainian Consulate in New York City on September 16 to draw further attention to the oppression of Ukraine's press.

The 12-person demonstration here was part of a larger action of international protests also held in Washington, Chicago, Prague, London, Paris and Budapest called "Requiem 2002: Face the Truth," a tribute to murdered Ukrainian journalists and political activists who perished over the last decade while performing their professional duties.

Ukrainian American George Pylyp, 21, of Riverside, Conn., organized the New York City protest with support from the Gongadze Foundation and the Forum of Ukrainian Students in America. Both organizations, created in the aftermath of investigative journalist Heorhii Gongadze's killing, coordinated the larger international protests.

When asked about the turnout for the New York City protest, Mr. Pylyp said "I'm happy that [the demonstration] happened and I'm happy that the people who came, came. It's a bit of a shame though that there weren't more supporters from the diaspora."

"I think that it's our responsibility as people who have freedom of speech and the capability to start something like this, to organize protests and situations that will allow for recognition of how bad it is in Ukraine and to really take control and do something," Mr. Pylyp said.

A statement on the "Requiem 2002" website said the goal of the event was "to draw public attention to the suppression of freedom and democracy in Ukraine, and to the reluctance of the Ukrainian authorities to investigate crimes against independent political activists."

"Requiem 2002" was held on September 16 as it marked exactly two years to the day Mr. Gongadze went missing. He was later found brutally murdered outside of the Ukrainian capital. Subsequent allegations by a presidential security officer questioned the role Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and senior government officials played in the journalist's death.

The demonstration in New York City coincided with mass demonstrations in Kyiv and other cities as part of protests across Ukraine lead by the opposition to unseat Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma.

In her statement for the "Requiem 2002" website (www.gongadze.com) Mr. Gongadze's widow, Myroslava, wrote: "We are carrying out the 'Requiem 2002: Face the Truth' events because we want to encourage people to pause, think and realize that until every single crime against a human being in Ukraine is brought to justice, we will not be able to bring others to respect us as a nation."

While demonstrators in New York City carried signs that read "Kuchma, you can't handle the truth" and "Silent media = corrupt power," a line of nearly 20 people stood outside the Ukrainian Consulate, most waiting to fill out visa paperwork. When asked about the protest taking place across the street, many of the people waiting in the Consulate line said they were not familiar with the purpose of the protest and many seemed ambivalent about it. However, they said it was obvious by the signs that it had something to do with President Kuchma and freedom of the press in Ukraine.

"I think it's our responsibility to take time out of our schedules and do this," Mr. Pylyp said as the demonstration in New York City concluded, "otherwise nothing will materialize."

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