They waved Ukrainian and American flags and carried anti-Russian banners and signs.
Women had sunflowers in their headpieces wrapped in yellow and blue ribbons over their coats.
Sveta Yamin-Pasternak says Alaskans need to take note of what’s happening in Ukraine because they have much in common.
“And I think especially it is relevant for all of us as Alaskans because we truly do share the same values with Ukraine. We're also unfortunately currently sharing a hostile neighbor.”
She held a banner that said: “Solidarity Alaska and Ukraine, many great values, one bad neighbor in common.” Ryan Tinsley held up the other end.
“You have a full on assault against Western democracy. You know, led in part by Putin and his misinformation. And, and, yeah. So, I think there is more and more in common with the fight in Ukraine. And, and, and, with the West and Europe. You know, Western Europe and the U. S.”
Stacy Fritz has joined a small group on this streetcorner several times in the last three years. She’s hoping for peace, but she doesn’t think it will come through President Trump.
“His first effort to make peace excluded the Ukrainians. That's the opposite of a sincere good effort to make peace. And today he refused to go along with the UN resolution condemning Russia for illegally invading Ukraine. Sure, everybody wants the war to end. There's a simple, simple way to do that. Russia and Putin can get out of Ukraine,” Fritz said.
Katerina Vrebecka commented on recent statements made by US President Donald Trump about Ukraine's president.
“Zelensky is offering to step down from his position if Ukraine will be part of NATO, which is showing the whole world that he's not a dictator, but he is the true president who actually cares about his country and, and the true peace,” Katerina Vrebecka said.
She is a dual citizen of the United States and the Czech Republic.
“Because we were occupied by the Soviet Union for over 20 years, um, so that's one of the reasons why I'm here, to, to support Ukraine, because I know how it feels. I, I lived under the occupied country just for a little bit, but I know it from, from my parents and of course from the history.”
She joined in signing a traditional Ukrainian song that has become symbolic for resistance against Russia after it was sung on a main square in Kiev a few days after the invasion, on February 24th, 2022.
Musician Paul Krejci played a small accordion.
“I am half Czech myself. My father was a Czech refugee who escaped from Soviet Union. And I learned a lot about, um, the importance of fighting, you know, for a cause.”
Krejci said music is a way to build solidarity, and show where one is standing on an issue. He feels betrayed by a giant reversal of US policy toward Ukraine. President Donald Trump is bargaining for Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, and last week, withdrew weapons and financial support for Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion.
“I think many people who have grandfathers, grandparents who fought in World War II would be, just, find this revolting. Um, it's traitorous, I would say. And to have someone who is the President of the United States leading this cause? It is something that is a sucker punch, you know, to those who have fought for freedom for this country, um, since its birth,” Krejci said.
He started up another song, and was joined by Marianne Babij. She’s Ukrainian/American, born in Chicago after her parents fled Russian occupation 90 years ago.
“I feel, frankly, terrified and, and impotent. That's why it was so good to sing that song and I'm still kind of choked up about it, honestly. I’m here to support my ancestors and their fight for democracy,” Babij said.
