"EuroMaidan” in Toronto

By Myroslava Stadnyk

As riots continue to fill Independence Square and surrounding streets with protesters in the Ukrainian capital, naming these events significant historical moments for Ukraine’s future, Toronto joins the “EuroMaidan” movement. This week, on the evening of November 28, 2013, Toronto saw over one hundred people gather at City Hall in support of the pro-European Union demonstrations. Students and youth, joined by older members of the Ukrainian-Canadian diaspora showed their support and solidarity to those rallying in Kyiv’s Independence Square.

In Toronto, as in many cities around the world, EuroMaidan took place as a reaction to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision in reject signing the Association Agreement with the European Union and establish closer ties with Russia.

Torontonians waved Ukrainian and EU flags, sang the Ukrainian national anthem and nationalistic songs, and, even though light in numbers present, cheered enthusiastically showing our support for the democratic values the EU has to offer Ukraine.

“We are with you Ukraine, and we will continue to stand our ground. We believe Ukraine is ready to join the European Union! Ukraine is Europe!” – Torontonians with ties to Ukraine collectively echoed. Toronto’s EuroMaidan created a buzz full of positive energy, as Torontonians joined with a common interest and goal in mind – to force Yanukovych to respect people’s rights and to fight for a better future in Ukraine.

“Ukraine’s decision in signing the agreement with the EU is crucial to our country’s path towards moving forward as a democratic country – where freedoms and rights are valued, where transparency of the rule of law and justice system are vivid!” – one of the demonstrators commented.

As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, in Toronto, and in many cities around the globe, the EuroMaidan movement is growing. Another EuroMaidan in Toronto took part this past Sunday – December 1, 2013, bringing close to 1,000 people together in response to recent EuroMaidan brutal police beatings in Kyiv, Ukraine. “The purpose of another demonstration in which we are participating in today – is to show that we are against using deadly force toward students and peaceful citizens in Ukraine. We will continue to rally. We demand that the Ukrainian government respects our nation’s choice in joining the EU,” notes one of the many participants at Sunday’s demonstration.
“We stand here, by the Ukrainian Consulate in Toronto, in support of the fight for political freedom, which our brothers and sisters are fighting for in every city and every region in solidarity with Kyiv. We must stay strong and not give up on our future!” – calls out a young Ukrainian-Canadian.

Our support by joining EuroMaidan matters, regardless of where we live. It is a measure awakening the entire world to demonstrate to President Yanukovych that Ukraine is ready to join the European standard of life, and put an end to the authoritarian regime which persists under the current government.

For those willing to join and to receive timely updates on current and future EuroMaidan events in Toronto, please connect and follow various Facebook groups and other social media channels, hash-tag #EuroMaidan.

United – we are undefeated!

PHOTO

Enthusiastic EuroMaidan students supporters of Toronto City Hall. November 28, 2013.