HOUGHTON -- A small but dedicated group of Ukraine supporters walked across the Portage Lift Bridge last Friday, April 1, for the 6th Walk for Ukraine, which had been postponed from Wednesday last week because of weather. Ukrainian organizers Adelina Oronova and her husband, Nazar Gora, welcomed families who had brought their small children to participate.
Many children in Ukraine are among the civilian victims of the violent Russian aggressive war, leading many to call Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal.
As participants gathered to walk across the bridge to Hancock, Nazar Gora, a Michigan Tech graduate student, spoke to Keweenaw Now about the reasons for these weekly walks.
On Friday, April 1, before leading the participants in the Walk across the bridge to Hancock, Nazar Gora speaks about the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the extreme suffering it is causing for civilians. His sign says, "Putin, the World is watching!!" and "Stand with Ukraine." (Videos by Keweenaw Now)Lindsey Heiden of Dollar Bay told Keweenaw Now she has participated in several of these Walks for Ukraine. She carried a sign saying, "PUTIN is a war criminal." She said it is important to her to speak out about what is happening in Ukraine. Lindsey was accompanied by her four-year-old son, Wilder.
Lindsey Heiden of Dollar Bay speaks out about her support for Ukraine.John Loosemore of Hancock brought his three children -- Kaitlyn, 9; Jethro, 7; and Jacob, 4 -- to this and to previous Walks for Ukraine. He says his support for Ukraine is primarily to help the Ukrainian military, partly because of his own military background.
John Loosemore, Army veteran and resident of Hancock, explains why he believes it is important to support the Ukrainian military in their fight against Putin.Many passing cars on the Portage Lift Bridge honked in support of the walkers as they proceeded across the bridge to Hancock and back.
Participants in the April 1, 2022, Walk for Ukraine cross the Portage Lift Bridge from Houghton to Hancock, displaying signs and flags to passing traffic.Anna Hill, a Ukrainian who now lives in Chassell, joined the walkers as they left Houghton, crossing the bridge to Hancock. Anna spoke with Keweenaw Now during the fourth Walk for Ukraine.*
The group returned to Houghton and remained for some time on the corner of Shelden Avenue and the bridge, displaying their signs and flags to passing traffic.
Adelina Oronova posted the following on Facebook this weekend:
"Thanks, everyone, for joining us on Friday evening! We must continue
standing with Ukraine as it's been more than one month since the
full-scale invasion! Some community members attend our demonstrations
with their children. Children are our future and hope. And in Ukraine,
more than 150 children have been killed...
Please continue calling
your government to ask for more sanctions and support! Only together we
will be able to stop this invasion. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the
heroes!"
The 7th Walk for Ukraine will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, beginning at the Houghton side of the Portage Lift Bridge. Signs and flags will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring your own signs. Visit the Yoopers for Ukraine Facebook page for more information and updates.
* See our March 19, 2022, article, "Supporters of Ukraine continue Walks for World Peace on Lift Bridge," with videos and photos of the 4th Walk for Ukraine.
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