Ukrainian-Americans Mobilize in Metro-Detroit
by Dianne Feeley
The first week of the invasion Ukrainian Americans began demonstrating in Warren. A coalition of longstanding organizations came together to develop the Ukrainian American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan. It coordinates opposition to the war and facilitates sending financial and material aid to Ukraine. They welcome all who are willing to aid Ukraine.
The coalition organized or participated in three demonstrations held in Warren or other nearby Detroit suburbs the first week of the war. The fourth demonstration, on February 27, had over 2,000 in downtown Detroit. The demonstration flooded the entrance to Hart Plaza with people waving large and small Ukrainian flags, draped in the flag, or dressed in its light blue and yellow colors.
Signs the demonstrators carried were primarily “Stand with Ukraine,” “Hands off Ukraine” and “Stop Putin’s War.” Some Russian Americans also carried signs in opposition to the war and people from other East European countries carried their country’s flags: Georgia, Latvia, and Poland. A truck convoy paraded along Fort Street, honking horns and decked with Ukrainian flags.
Metro Detroit has a population of about 40,000 Ukrainian Americans and about 60,000 Russian Americans. I had imagined the Ukrainian American community as immigrants from way back but discovered in talking to fellow demonstrators that many came within the last twenty years.
A group of Russian Americans who attended the February 27 demonstration were so inspired that they organized one for the following Sunday at the same location. While they expected 100 participants, because the Ukrainian American community spread the word it turned into a demonstration of more than 500, again with a sea of Ukrainian flags.
The crisis group concentrates on raising aid. They have been given an office at 26708 Ryan Road in Warren and are open late afternoons. Their website has a comprehensive list of where people can donate. One can find and donate to a wide range of organizations, from the Ukrainian military to humanitarian groups; some are 501(c)(3).
The Ukrainian American community and allies have raised a great deal of aid through churches and ethnic organizations. In fact, they have already sent 27 pallets of medical supplies to be airlifted to Poland and driven to various hospitals and medical sites in Ukraine. They are also collecting clothing and additional medical supplies, which can be dropped off at their Hamtramck warehouse at 13400 Girardin between 8AM and 8PM weekdays.
REFUGEES
The U.S. has granted temporary protected status to Ukrainians who were in the country as of March 1 and so far has granted refugee status to 100,000 of those who have left since the war began. (Canada is also moving on refugee status for Ukrainians. They have already admitted 9,000 of the 40,000 Afghanis they are pledged to accept so now they are preparing to handle two refugee crises at once.)
Various Ukrainian American organizations are beginning to receive calls from people willing to house refugees. In some discussions it was noted that there is still a need to house Afghanis; could some of those places be used for Afghanis? At least some of the Ukrainian American community are aware of the need to solidarize with other refugee communities and are particularly interested in reaching out to other ethnic communities as well as to the African American community.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, March 27, Hart Plaza, UNITY RALLY. “In particular, we invite representatives from all of Southeast Michigan’s ethnic and faith-based communities to join us in showing support for the Ukrainian people!”
Saturday, April 2, Macomb Center, Save the Ukrainian Voice Charitable Concert with the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America
There are also a variety of candlelight vigils and prayer services taking place almost every day.
The Ukrainian American community is understandably shocked that the 1994 agreement with Russia, the US and the UK — when Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for assurances of a secure border — has been violated. We should support the demands “Stand by Ukraine” and “No to Putin’s War” and also raise the demand for canceling the Ukrainian debt and raise the issue of material aid to help Ukraine rebuild. These are folks who are focused on aiding their friends, relatives and people they know. Even if we think it is unwise to call for the US enforcing a no-fly zone, we should understand why they want to do so.
If you are interested in following news from the local coalition, you can sign up to receive their newsletter at the bottom of their website.
Locally, funds can be sent to the Ukrainian American Civic Committee of Metropolitan Detroit, which has accounts at:
Ukrainian Self-reliance Michigan Federal Credit Union
26791 Ryan Rd, Warren, MI 48091
Tel: (586) 756–3300
UAAC: Acct 17712SOO31 Aid to Ukraine
UAAC: Acct 88014029–101 Aid to Ukraine’s Soldiers
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