RALEIGH, N.C. — It’s been more than three weeks since Russia’s attack on Ukraine began.
On Sunday afternoon, a large group of people participated in a rally outside the North Carolina State Capitol.
The crowd stood in solidarity with Ukraine and called on elected officials to support the country. There was also a display of empty baby strollers at the rally with signs that translated to “Ukraine is our mother.”
“We would like folks to see these empty strollers and toys without kids that represent those kids who lost their lives and their parents who are grieving, assuming they survived, and many, many others who have been hiding in cellars over the past 25 days who have had their lives completely changed,” said Olena Kozlova-Pates, an organizer with Ukrainians in the Carolinas.
Vlad Pavlenko is a Ukrainian exchange student who attends Wake Forest High School as a junior.
“I’m really glad that Ukraine is so widely supported now. All the massive rallies are taking place in big cities all around the world — it’s such a big boost in motivation to Ukrainian people, to people who are suffering because of war, who are wounded, who are warriors first of all. I’m just glad that people are supporting us,” Pavlenko said.
Pavlenko says his family lives about two hours from Kyiv.
“I’m really worried, but in the first two weeks of the massive invasion I was really terrified. But it’s hard to stay with that mood all the time. So now I’m trying to do all I can to help Ukraine and just keep the positive mood that we will win,” Pavlenko said.
Pavlenko says he came to the U.S. in August 2021 and is trying to do what he can to show support for his homeland.
“For now I’m starting the humanitarian donations at my school. I have started a fundraiser on GoFundMe which raises money for an organization called United Help Ukraine. I’m just trying to spread the information about Ukraine through my friends in my school. We’re starting to wear blue and yellow clothing on Wednesdays. I’m just trying to do all I can,” Pavlenko said. “I sincerely hope that this war will end really soon.”
Organizations like Ukrainians in the Carolinas are helping with humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. To learn more, visit the Ukrainians in the Carolinas website.