Thousands Gather At Philadelphia's Independence Mall To Show Support For Ukraine During Conflict With Russia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Support for Ukraine has been strong in Philadelphia. Thousands gathered in the city at Independence Mall in support of the Ukrainian people on Sunday.
HELP FOR UKRAINE
It was fitting the rally happened where America inked its independence. Organizers say Sunday was as much about Ukraine as it was about the fight for democracy everywhere.
Singing the national anthem of Ukraine and adorned by a sea of blue and yellow flags outside Independence Hall, thousands gathered Sunday in support of the war-struck country. Many were thinking of loved ones overseas.
"Just want to show support to our family and friends that are there trying to fight for their freedom," Ylana Chmara Kelly said.
Waving the nation's national bloom, the sunflower, and signs of a free Ukraine, those young and old took comfort in this community of prayer and purpose.
"You could see all the people here willing to help," Christian Kelly said.
The crowd called out Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering the attack.
"They didn't do anything to deserve it," Kelly said.
"I was so scared because of all the alarms, and because during the first day you don't know where to hide," Anastasiia Yuzyk, who lives in Ukraine, said.
Yuzyk, a college student, Zoomed with CBS3 from the basement of her apartment building in Ukraine, where many are now taking shelter as aerial assaults continue. Some attacks come every 20 minutes. CBS3 isn't giving her exact location due to safety because the threat of plain-clothes Russian spies on the streets is very real.
"You never know who will attack you," Yuzyk said.
With each passing day, there is a growing concern over supplies from water and food to medicine with resources rationed to the front lines.
"They literally stopped their ordinary life to help our soldiers," Yuzyk said.
The nation's hardships are being matched only by its pride in the fight for its future.
"We have freedom in our heart," Yuzyk said. "And this country is unbeatable indeed."
Philadelphia is home to the second-largest Ukrainian community in the United States with more than 60,000 people in the region.
