Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council & Edmonton Branch present a
FUNDRAISING RALLY for humanitarian aid for the people of Ukraine
Under the direction of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council & Edmonton Branch, the Edmonton Ukrainian community is hosting a FUNDRAISING RALLY for humanitarian aid for the people of Ukraine. The open-house event will take place Wednesday, March 12, 2014 from 7-10pm at St. John’s Cultural Centre (10611 – 110 Avenue, Edmonton). The evening will feature government representatives, special guest speakers, recent videos from Ukraine, Maidan exhibits, and performances.
Admission is free with donations accepted throughout the evening via cash or cheque. (Donations also accepted online through the Canada Ukraine Foundation Maidan Fund at www.cufoundation.ca). Light refreshments will be served.
On March 4, 2014, the Alberta government announced $100,000 in matching funding to facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid to Ukraine through Alberta Culture’s International Development Program. “Along with all Albertans and Alberta’s Ukrainian community, our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine at this time of unthinkable conflict and uncertainty. We can all relate to the basic need to feel safe in our homes, in our cities and in our country – to live in communities that uphold and support the rights to freedom, democracy and the rule of law that those before us fought and sacrificed their lives for. We stand beside the people of Ukraine,” said Alison Redford, Premier of Alberta.
The March 12th Rally will focus on an ongoing fundraising campaign to raise a minimum of $100,000 from Albertans. “More than 250,000 Albertans are of Ukrainian descent. We must show our support to Ukraine at this very difficult time,” said Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council President Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz. “Ukraine’s fight for democracy and continued independence from Russia is one we stand firmly behind. We thank the Government of Alberta for their pledge and call upon our local community to match the $100,000 in donations so these monies can help those in need in a land of turmoil. We are grateful that the provincial Ukrainian community has been supporting Maidan for the past few months. The need still exists.”
Background:
Maidan is a social and political phenomenon, which began in Ukraine in November 2013. Millions of Ukrainian citizens participated in demonstrations against their government’s refusal to sign a planned Association agreement with the European Union. In January, Maidan demonstrators protested against dictatorship in favour of democratic civic standards. The Government responded by using lethal sniper fire against peaceful protestors that resulted in numerous deaths and the escalation of the political situation. The president had to flee the country to escape his arrest. Subsequently Ukraine, with a new government, came under the threat of war from the Russian Federation. Ukraine now has become a focus in geo-political negotiations among the EU, USA and the Russian Federation.
Media contact: Darka Tarnawsky, Bottom Line Productions Inc. C: 780.490.8277 E: darka@bottomlinepro.com