Since July 4, 2022, Yoopers for Ukraine have been active in creating awareness of the tragic five-month-long war in Ukraine by continuing their weekly Walk for Ukraine across the Portage Lift Bridge, participating in community events and fundraisers, and joining international groups in their global actions condemning Russian President Putin's aggressive attacks and war crimes.
July 20 Walk for Ukraine
As it began to rain on Wednesday, July 20, Yoopers for Ukraine postponed for a short time the beginning of the Walk to enjoy some tasty Ukrainian dumplings made by Angi Denesynko of Ukraine who recently moved to Houghton with her daughters, Alisa and Riana.
July 16: #terroRussia Action
On Saturday, July 16, with a demonstration on the Houghton waterfront, Yoopers for Ukraine joined Women for Ukraine and other groups in an international day of the action #terroRussia, a worldwide, coordinated action that calls upon our political leaders and policymakers to officially name Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Yoopers for Ukraine has also called attention to Senate Resolution 623, introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Lindsey Graham on May 9, 2022, which says the Senate views the actions of the Russian government, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin, as acts of terrorism and calls on the Department of State to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
In addition, Women for Ukraine has started a Change.org petition to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Sen. Lindsey Graham and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi "to formally recognize the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism under the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, Arms Export Control Act, and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. This same legislation named Syria, North Korea, Iran, and Cuba as state sponsors of terrorism. The Russian Federation, per these benchmarks, 100 percent qualifies as a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law."*
July 13 Walk for Ukraine
The Wednesday Walks for Ukraine attract some regular supporters and, each week, new participants. On July 13 Keweenaw Now spoke with Dawn Anderson and Bob Turner, local residents who are now offering English lessons (ESL) to immigrants from Ukraine who have recently arrived in the Keweenaw.
July 9: Yoopers for Ukraine in Strawberry Festival
On July 9, 2022, Yoopers for Ukraine participated in the annual Strawberry Festival parade in Chassell, winning first prize in the Patriotic category for their float!
"The crowd was so loving and stood up and cheered for Ukraine," said Nadija Packauskas, co-founder of Yoopers for Ukraine. "It is always great to see public support for Ukraine and to bring new awareness! Thank you to the Chassell Lions club for extending a personal invitation for us to march! Thank you, Underdog Ukraine and Women For Ukraine жінки для України for the ideas and our poster!"
July 6 Walk for Ukraine
On Wednesday, July 6, Yoopers for Ukraine had good, sunny weather for their
weekly Walk for Ukraine across the Portage Lift Bridge.
Several new participants joined the regular supporters for the Walk. One of those was the newly appointed pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church, the Rev. Sarah Diener-Schlitt, who brought the youngest participant in the Walk -- her four-month old son, MacKenzie.
Two local high school students, Rachael Pellizzaro and Bailey Megowen, also joined the July 6 Walk for Ukraine for the first time.
Michigan Tech student Stelle Barone, a media specialist who has worked with Yoopers for Ukraine, participated in the July 6 Walk for Ukraine and spoke about his work for the cause.
Supporters for Ukraine cross the Portage Lift Bridge for their return to Houghton on July 6. (Video by Keweenaw Now)
July 4 in Dollar Bay
For Independence Day, July 4, Yoopers for Ukraine participated in an international picture event created by Underdog Ukraine, a group of soldiers in Ukraine.
"They created the graphic and asked us to take 100 pictures which were then sent to the front lines," Nadija Packauskas explained. "We, in Houghton, were the first to send pictures as we started taking them at the Fireworks at Lake Linden July 3rd. It was a powerful movement and so many were pleased to participate. We then took them (the graphic) to the parade at Dollar Bay on the 4th."
July 23: Silent Solidarity for Ukraine's Widows
On Saturday, July 23, Yoopers for Ukraine held an event to express silent solidarity across the globe for Ukraine's widows at Trinity Episcopal Church in Houghton. Participants held a 30-minute silent vigil outside the church, beginning at 3 p.m. A video of part of the event can be seen on Facebook here.
Nadija Packauskas reported the following description of the July 23 event on the Yoopers for Ukraine Facebook page:
"Today was a beautiful, solemn day. We stood together with women and men around the world in silent solidarity to honor widows and widowers of this tragic war.
"As we stood in silence staring at our 'fallen soldiers,' looking at our coffin lid, listening to the Ukrainian anthem being played so beautifully, we were reminded of all the widows and widowers, families, children, parents, siblings, loved ones who have lost so much in this brutal daily attack by Russia.
"After our 30-minute vigil, we had a discussion about the 151 days of war, the hours, the minutes, the seconds of horror that our Ukrainian brothers and sisters are facing!
"We impore you to call your elected leaders, ask for more arms for Ukraine, ask for S. Res. 623* declaring Russian Federation as a state that sponsors terrorism and H. Res. 1205** recognizing Russia's actions as genocide to pass!
"We MUST end this war.
"No more widows. No more war!
"Slava Ukraini!!"
Yoopers for Ukraine will hold their weekly Wednesday Walk for Ukraine on Wednesday, July 27. Meet at 5 p.m. on the Houghton side of the Lift Bridge.
Notes:
* Click here
for a video of Nadija Packauskas's presentation during the July 16
#terroRussia event at Bridgeview Park. Click here to sign the Change.org petition.
** Click here for H.Res.1205 - Recognizing Russian actions in Ukraine as a genocide.
