CHICAGO — An audience of 250 members of the Ukrainian-American community and representatives of the Polish, Hungarian, Lithuanian, and Azerbaijani communities gathered at the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Jan. 26 for the Unity Day event organized annually by the Illinois Division of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.
The keynote speakers, General Mykhailo Zabrodskyi, now a member of Ukraine’s parliament, and Phillip Karber, a U.S. military security expert, captivated the audience with their presentations focused on Ukraine’s military security, the challenges and victories of Ukraine’s armed forces, and what defenses are needed to prepare for future Russian offenses.
With Ukraine being at the center of news and media attention, four members of the U.S. Congress attended the event: Danny Davis, Mike Quigley, Sean Casten, and Raja Krishnamoorthi reassured the audience that Ukraine’s struggle for freedom and democracy is in America’s security interests, and they emphasized that Ukraine is a strategic ally of the United States that deserves support for its defense of Europe from Russian aggression. They made it clear that the security of the U.S. and Ukraine is linked.
Joining the distinguished guests were Bishop Benedict Alesiychuk of the Ukrainian Catholic Church; Laryssa Gerasko, consul general of Ukraine in Chicago; Maria Pappas, the Cook County treasurer; Jordan Miller, on behalf of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot; and Commissioner Dan Patlak.
In response to the recent statement by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in an NPR interview, “Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?,” each member of the audience rose and held up plaques that stated, “We Care About Ukraine.” At that moment, the hall was filled with silence and a feeling of profound disappointment and concern, particularly aware of Pompeo’s upcoming trip to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 31 in Kyiv. On Unity Day, it was a powerful statement of unity.
Government officials, clergy, community activists and guests stood united in support of Ukraine. It was befitting that speakers echoed the thoughts of former U.S. Ambassador William B. Taylor in his timely New York Times article published the same day, as he wrote, “ … the relationship between the United States and Ukraine is key to our security…. Ukraine is defending itself and the West against a Russian attack.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the West is an attack on democracy. Yes, Americans should care about Ukraine.”
The event was covered by local NBC Channel 5 and the Chicago Tribune.
Marta Farion is a Chicago attorney who is president of the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America and vice president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America – Illinois Division.
