Chicago community rallies to build U.S. support for Ukraine (12/12/04)

Chicago community rallies to build U.S. support for Ukraine

by Pavlo T. Bandriwsky

CHICAGO - Pioneer Court on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, north of the Chicago River, was the location for a massive rally organized by the ad hoc group Rebirth of Ukraine Committee (Rebirth) that was held on Saturday, December 4.

The rally was organized just a few days earlier at the founding meeting of Rebirth, a group formed on an interim basis to coordinate activities supporting the democratic activities currently occurring in Ukraine with various political and community organizations in Chicago, including the group Presidential Elections 2004 and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Branch.

The Ukrainian Saturday school dismissed its students early so parents and children could participate, joined by high school and college students who made up the youth contingent of the rally. Together with new immigrants, seniors, American-born Ukrainians and representatives of other nationalities, thousands of people filled the plaza enthusiastically chanting "Russia out of Ukraine," "U.S.A. support Ukraine" and "President Yushchenko."

The goals of the rally were to draw the attention of the American public to the events in Ukraine and call upon the U.S. government to support democracy in Ukraine. These objectives were resoundingly achieved as coverage was extensive: four television news stations showed rally excerpts and interviews, stories were published in the Chicago Tribune and reported on NPR and other radio stations. Additionally, hundreds of Christmas shoppers heading to the Magnificent Mile stopped to see what the sea of orange demonstrators were about and warmly received informational flyers.

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, in whose district the Ukrainian Village section of Chicago is located, spoke very favorably about his solidarity with Ukraine's quest for democracy through the Orange Revolution. He included in his speech "Slava Ukraini." Alderman Manny Flores, who represents most of the Ukrainian Village before the Chicago city council, read a resolution supporting Ukrainian democracy and a fair election process. The politicians promised to enlighten their colleagues about Ukrainian issues and to solicit their support as well.

Several speakers from the Ukrainian community, including Dr. Yuri Melnyk and Yaroslav Zahayskyy, co-initiators of Rebirth, shared their perspective that the will of the people will prevail on December 26, resulting in Viktor Yushchenko being elected president.

It was emphasized that international observers must monitor the run-off election to ensure that voter fraud, which tainted in the previous vote, is not repeated. Participants were urged to contact their federal representatives to ensure funding for election observers.

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