Ukrainian Independence Day will be commemorated with a public ceremony at Grande Prairie City Hall Wednesday. The event gets underway at 6 p.m. and will feature guest speakers and the raising of the Ukrainian flag.
Organizer Kelly George says the community is asked to peacefully gather, wear yellow and blue, and bring flags and posters to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine during Russia’s invasion.
“As we know with Canada Day, it is a celebration of happiness. For Ukrainians, their Independence Day will be filled with uncertainty, terror, and anger. We can not allow terrorist states to invade sovereign countries and we must all stand up and say no.”
George adds that six months ago she probably couldn’t have told anyone much about the country, and, aside from her husband’s grandparents coming from Ukraine in the 1930s, she doesn’t have a real connection.
“Just the images in the first days of the invasion touched me incredibly. I have been following the people, the stories, the pictures, the horror since February 24th. It is heartbreaking.”
Plans also include a walk using sidewalks through the downtown core using 99 Avenue and 100 Avenue from Resources Road to 102 Street.