‘Stop Putin now’: Aussie protest for Ukraine erupts as thousands rally
Thousands of Ukrainian-Australians rallied across the country in a united call to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war plot.
Thousands of Ukrainian-Australians across the country gathered for church services and rallies with the single message – stand with Ukraine and stop Vladimir Putin’s war plot.
In colourful displays of national blue and yellow colours and most wearing traditional dress, they waved flags, sang, prayed and appealed for support as their country stands on the precipice of war with Russia.
In Sydney, federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke told the throng the Morrison government stood with them and their allies.
But it was federal Labor MP Jason Clare who received the loudest cheers with his impassioned address, honouring Ukrainians who had already died in the past eight years of conflict in the country.
“Russia must back off and abide by its international commitments … this is a dark and dangerous moment but it is not too late for Russia to just back off,” he said on the steps of St Andrew’s Ukrainian Church in Sydney’s west.
His address received rousing applause and cheers of “bravo” from locals and a large gathering of diplomats from a range of consulates and embassies including the US, Poland and Turkey.
There are more than 60,000 Ukrainians and dual nationals living in Australia.
Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations co-chair Stefan Romaniw said he spoke by telephone to Foreign Minister Marise Payne ahead of her meetings with EU leaders.
He said he was buoyed by Australia’s support for Ukraine’s people but the situation could not go on like it was.
“Something needs to give, we can’t go on … we can’t have this thing everyday, everybody everyday, waiting for something to happen,” he said.
He said rallies in Australia were part of a worldwide march to say “no to Putin”.
“We are deeply worried about the destabilisation, chaos and fear caused by Russia,” Mr Romaniw said.
“We fear for our family and loved ones in Ukraine. We mourn the lives already lost and the possibility that a generation of Ukrainians might need to lay down their lives to resist an invasion.”
Originally published as ‘Stop Putin now’: Aussie protest for Ukraine erupts as thousands rally