U.S.-Ukraine Solidarity Rally Amid Trump’s Misinformation and War’s Third Year

On Monday, February 24, Portlanders held a pro-Ukrainian rally in Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland. Around a hundred Ukrainians and Portlanders joined together in their rain jackets and umbrellas to carry banners, hear speeches, and mourn and respect those who have lost their lives to Russia’s war on Ukraine. 

The event was hosted on the three-year anniversary of the full scale invasion, which started in late February 2022. Additionally, the rally came at a time of increased fear of U.S. support being withdrawn after President Trump has made clear his intentions to end the war regardless of Ukraine’s input. 

United States President Donald Trump has recently gone on a spree of falsehood spreading, claiming that, among other things, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a dictator, Russian President Vladimir Putin is not a dictator, Ukraine began the war, and Ukrainian admission into NATO is not a possibility. For the past three years, under the Biden administration, the U.S. has donated a total of $175 billion to Ukraine. It seems Trump will not abide by this rate of spending, is interested in gaining access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, and is intent on fostering stronger relations with Russia’s dictator after the United States cut most political and economic ties in 2022. Please note that these political talks are still developing, and current information may have changed since this article was written.

Against this uncertainty, DAWN, the organization behind the Pioneer Square rally, provides medical and tactical support to the war effort in Ukraine. Their mission statement is “to protect and promote cultural heritage, identity and traditions; bridge gaps in medical care and community health resources; nurture mental health and emotional resilience; and conserve and restore Ukraine’s natural environments.” They host fundraisers and cultural events frequently, and would love donations to help send humanitarian aid to Ukraine. 

The rally had a number of stands, each of which held unique installations to highlight the tragedy of the war. There was an art installation of hundreds of tiny Ukrainian flags, each of which represented a Ukrainian child who had been killed in the war, a gallery of the lives of murdered college students with degrees that were awarded posthumously, and a table gracefully set for members of a family who will never be reunited. 

There were also stands dedicated to the resilience and valor of the Ukrainian people, including a wall of hand-woven camouflage and documentation of civilians standing up against tanks and soldiers. Finally, there was a glass bowl into which participants could drop a small glowing light as they made a wish for Ukraine. 

As a reminder, XATA is a Ukrainian-based club open to all Reedies, which frequently hosts cultural events, film screenings, and group outings, all in support of the people of Ukraine and their culture. If you’d like to get on their mailing list you can email mariiavorozhko@reed.edu or vkotsiubynskyi@reed.edu. 

Ukrainians are not alone in feeling anxiety after misinformation spread by Trump. It is clear that Trump’s intentions are not in supporting the people of Ukraine, as it also often seems clear that his intentions do not lie in supporting many of the people of the United States. 

As we have been shown time and time again recently, solidarity between disparate peoples is, and will continue to be, vital in building support networks independent of federal authority. Please consider involving yourself in political organizing if you believe the cause is right.