Remembering the Day of Dignity and Freedom – The Ukrainian Weekly

Ukrainian World Congress

The Ukrainian World Congress issued the following media release on November 21.

On November 21, 2013, the people of Ukraine gathered in the capitals Independence Square in defense of their will to live freely in a democracy that respects the choice of the people. This day, which began a spiral of events leading to the Revolution of Dignity with tragic consequences, is now marked as the Day of Dignity and Freedom.

Precipitated by the refusal of the Yanukovych regime to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, the peaceful protest was answered by authorities with violence spurring the country to rise up in mass demonstrations. Unwilling to hear the voice of the people, the regime took more drastic measures resulting in the deaths of over 100 innocent men and women to whom we pay tribute and remember as the Nebesna Sotnia.

The fight for freedom that began six years ago today continues as the hybrid war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine persistently claims the lives of brave soldiers and innocent civilians alike, and a rampant disinformation campaign aims to discredit Ukraine and its people.

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) pays tribute to those who took a stand in defense of the Ukrainian peoples right to live in dignity and freedom, and to those who continue to stand on the frontlines of this modern day war refusing to allow Ukraine to once again be pulled under the yoke of a foreign aggressor, stated UWC President Paul Grod. We urge the international community to remember the sacrifices made by the Ukrainian people in the name of global peace and security, and remain steadfastly on the side of the Ukrainian people by increasing pressure on the Russian Federation to withdraw its troops, mercenaries, weapons and materiel from Ukrainian territory.

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!

Ukrainian Canadian Congress

The statement below was released by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress on November 21.

On November 21, Ukrainians all over the world mark the Day of Dignity and Freedom. Six years ago, the Ukrainian people took to the streets to defend their choice to live in liberty and democracy.

On November 21, 2013, demonstrations began in response to the governments decision not to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. On November 29-30, the regime responded with violence, and security forces attacked and beat student protestors on Kyivs Independence Square (the Maidan). In response, Ukrainians in cities and towns across the country rose up in mass demonstrations. So began the Revolution of Dignity.

Months of demonstrations were met with increasing repression and retribution by the state. But in the face of growing violence ordered by the regime, growing arrests and attacks, the Ukrainian people bravely defended their inalienable right to freedom. The people demanded that their government hear and heed their voice they would not be denied their right to be treated with dignity.

On February 18-20, 2014, at Kyivs Maidan, the Yanukovych regime ordered security forces to open fire upon their own people. But the Maidan withstood the regimes attack, and the regime retreated. Viktor Yanukovych fled Ukraine, abdicating his office, and Ukraines Parliament appointed a new government.

Over 100 brave Ukrainian patriots were killed in those February days. Their names and their faces are today etched upon stone in Ukraines capital. They shall forever be remembered as the Heavenly Hundred and they gave their lives so that Ukraine may be free. We honor their memory. .

The Revolution of Dignity was an expression of a nations resolve to live in freedom, of the Ukrainian peoples centuries-long struggle for self-determination. Through their courage and their unity, the Ukrainian people cemented their right to choose their own common destiny.

Today, as so many times through history, Russia wages war against Ukraine, seeking once again to subjugate the Ukrainian people to Moscows tyranny. On the battlefields and in the trenches of eastern Ukraine, Ukrainians fight for the ideals of the Revolution of Dignity. The Ukrainian people are defending their country and their homes with valor, bravery and unity of purpose. The cause of the Ukrainian people is the cause of free peoples the world over, and with Gods help, they will be victorious.

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Ukrainian Congress Committee of America

The following release was issued by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America on November 21.

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the largest representative organization of Americans of Ukrainian descent, celebrates the indomitable Ukrainian spirit on this Day of Dignity and Freedom Hidnosty ta Svobody.

The historic Revolution of Dignity in 2013-2014, when ordinary people began gathering outside during a cold winter in Kyiv, literally laying down soul and body for [their] freedom as Ukraines anthem declares, came to be when ordinary Ukrainians chose their own destiny. The courage and self-sacrifice of these Euro-Maidan protesters is reminiscent of the daring of another group of people, who, many years ago, because of their love for freedom and their determination, won the right to live in their own independent and democratic nation the United States of America.

On this date, we also recall the estimated 7 million Ukrainians who participated in the historic peaceful protests that came to be known as the Orange Revolution in 2003-2004. In response to the falsification of the final round of the 2003-2004 Ukrainian presidential election, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America organized the largest election observer mission ever registered by Ukraines Central Election Commission, flying in over 2,000 observers from around the world to ensure that new elections would be transparent, democratic and in accordance with international standards.

On this Day of Dignity and Freedom, we honor the legacy of these wintry revolutions and their transformational legacy of national identity and patriotism in Ukraine and beyond. The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America celebrates this defense of democratic values, rights and freedoms for which the Ukrainian people gathered in mass rallies, supported by the countless hours of heroic humanitarian work by our diaspora community, whose enormous charity and goodwill helped support the people of Ukraine during these historic times.

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Remembering the Day of Dignity and Freedom - The Ukrainian Weekly