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SEATTLE - Crowds of people gathered at a couple locations in downtown Seattle on the fourth anniversary of the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine. One began in the Pike Place Market area while another posted up at Lake Union Park.
There was a march and rally on Sunday, marking four years since conflict broke out on Feb. 22, 2022. Organizers expected up to 1,000 people for the walk between Pike Place and Seattle Center's mural amphitheater.
The Ukraine Defense Support says some people who would normally show up and march may not today as "some are afraid of ICE and not attending this year."
Pro-Ukrainian demonstrators march in Seattle on the fourth anniversary of war between Russia and Ukraine
What they're saying:
"This year’s march and rally is especially important because Ukrainians are enduring the most bitter winter since russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Russia’s nearly constant bombing of Ukraine’s energy systems have left millions of Ukrainians with little to no electricity, gas or water as temperatures plummet well below freezing and, on some days, even below zero," said Marcia Jacobs, Communications and Media Director for UDS.
Pro-Ukrainian demonstrators march in Seattle on the fourth anniversary of war between Russia and Ukraine
The march began around 11:30 a.m. and ended at the Space Needle for a rally beginning at 1 p.m. Event organizers anticipated the proceedings to wrap up by 3 p.m.
Lake Union rally on Russia-Ukraine war fourth anniversary
Additionally, there was a demonstration by Russian-speaking Washington community members in South Lake Union. The group called the event an anti-war rally with the slogan "Stand for Freedom, Stand with Ukraine."
"This is more than a rally. It is an opportunity to publicly affirm that the Russian government does not speak for all Russians. Thousands of people in Russia have been imprisoned for opposing the war. Many others have been forced into exile. We believe it is our responsibility, especially those of us living in free societies, to speak openly and clearly," read a fstatementrom Russian Seattle for Freedom on a post to social networking site Reddit earlier this week.
Pro-Ukrainian demonstrators march in Seattle on the fourth anniversary of war between Russia and Ukraine
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