Around Australia this weekend, there will be rallies and church services in support of the people of Ukraine.
‘We are rallying and praying this weekend to support Ukraine against Putin’s unwarranted, illegal and brutal occupation of its country. Our hearts go out to the 44 million innocent men, women and children of Ukraine who must now face war, suffering and deprivation,’ said Mr Stefan Romaniw, Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations.
‘On Sunday, the Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese will be lighting a candle at a Ukrainian church in Newcastle, and the former Prime Minister Tony Abbott will be lighting a candle at a Ukrainian church in Melbourne.
‘The AFUO thanks the Australian government for the sanctions, travel bans, humanitarian aid, and visa and migration assistance announced so far. However, they are no longer a deterrent to Putin. They are a punishment, but they will not stop him.
‘Australia must lead by example and show support for Ukraine and the democratic values for which it is fighting. We also call for:
- lethal military aid to Ukraine – Ukrainians are willing to defend themselves, the Ukrainian army is brave and strong, but it is outnumbered and cannot hold the Russian forces off forever.
- the continuation of crippling sanctions – the strengthening of economic, financial and energy sanctions i.e., cut Russia off from SWIFT system, sanction all Russian banks, the Central Bank of Russia and all state-owned enterprises of Russia.
- the isolation of Russia diplomatically – cancel the visas of all Russian visitors, businesspeople and students, close the Russian consulate in Sydney, stop Russian ships being allowed to dock in Australian ports and support calls for a UN vote to expel Russia given they have egregiously violated the UN Charter.
- intensification of financial and humanitarian aid – the loss of life, the injuries, the pain and suffering are real. We need immediate delivery of non-lethal military aid the Australian Government has promised, particularly medical aid, and expansion of humanitarian efforts, to alleviate the suffering of innocent men, women and children.
The Ukrainian community in Australia has been supporting the Ukraine Crisis Appeal and call on the Australian government to join the humanitarian aid effort: https://www.ukrainecrisisappeal.org/
- protect the Ukrainian sky by enacting ‘no fly zones’ – This was done in 1991 to stop Saddam Hussein from bombing Kurdish and Shi’a minorities, and during the 2011 Libyan Civil War, where the NATO-enforced no-fly zone helped to turn the tide of the conflict against Gaddafi’s forces
- telephone providers to provide free phone calls to families
Dates and times for the events this weekend:
Saturday 26 February
SYDNEY
1:00pm: March from Martin Place to the Sydney Opera House
Media Inquiries: Anton Bogdanovych – 0450 697 898
CANBERRA
10:00am: Protest at the Embassy of the Russian Federation
Media Inquiries: Liliya on 0403 112 290
Sunday 27 February 2022
SYDNEY
11.30am: English language Ukrainian Catholic Church service, St Andrews Ukrainian Catholic Church, 57 Church St Lidcombe.
3pm: Rally for Ukraine Martin Place, Sydney
Media Inquiries: Andrew Mencinsky 0411 743 750
MELBOURNE
9:00am Ukrainian Church Service Sts Peter and Paul, 35 Canning Street North Melbourne – Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott to light candle for Ukraine.
12:30pm: Rally and Vigil for Ukraine March from Treasury Gardens to Federation Square, followed by varenyky at Café Trembita, St Peters and Paul’s Church Hall, North Melbourne. All profits going to the AFUO humanitarian fund ukrainecrisisappeal.org
Media Inquiries: Stefan Romaniw 0419 531 255 Liana Slipetsky – 0413 731 999
NEWCASTLE
3:00pm: Leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese to light candle for Ukraine, Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church, 105 Gosford Rd, Adamstown.
ADELAIDE
12:30pm: Prayer for Ukraine Service at St Michael’s Church, 427 Port Road, Croydon.
Media Inquiries: Frank Fursenko 0412 267 880
NATIONWIDE
Light a Candle of Peace Media Inquiries: Nadia Mencinsky 0416 253 963
