Iowans Stand With Ukraine

Iowan’s Act in Solidarity with Ukraine

Hundreds of metro Iowa residents and visitors rallied at Iowa’s ‘Peace March in Solidarity with Ukraine’ in downtown Des Moines on Saturday, March 26th. 

“We want peace, no more war,” and “I will stand with Ukraine,” chanted the crowd of protestors as they marched toward the Iowa State Capitol building. The march covered roughly 2 miles, ending with a ceremony around 3 pm CST. Its protestors were of all ethnic backgrounds and ages, all bundled up and ready to unite in advocating for a nation they feel so fondly of, despite the cold and brisk winds that stormed the area that afternoon.

A Des Moines organization called Coffee FC, made up of Liberian, Sudanese, and other African refugee community members, organized the weekend rally in partnership with the ‘Africans in Iowa for Empowerment’ and local Ukrainian-Americans. 

Vinton AJ Hookes and Nathan Quewea are Coffee FC chairmen. “We are here today to show our support to Ukraine as former Liberian refugees ourselves,” said Hookes. “They [Ukraine] were there for us[Liberia] so here we are for them,” Hookes added. The Armed Forces of Ukraine partook in a nearly 15-year peacekeeping mission from 2004 to 2018 in Liberia, a country amid civil unrest during the Liberian Civil War. 

Coffee FC wants to give back to the country that helped a handful of its members, all while empathizing with Ukrainians- as the organization’s people know what it is like to be refugees themselves. 

The rally’s goal was to raise money for Ukrainian refugees and promote awareness amongst local legislators.“We hope we will be able to petition our governor for Iowa to be one of the first states to accept Ukrainian refugees,” explained Quewea. 

CAPTION: Hookes speaks at Iowa’s ‘Peace March in Solidarity with Ukraine’ ending ceremony in front of the Iowa State Capitol building as Coffee FC members present a donation check of 2500 dollars to United Help Ukraine, a non-profit charitable organization devoted to distributing life-saving supplies to displaced Ukrainian refugees

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Yaroslav and Halyna Mudryk of Ames are Ukranian-Americans living in Iowa. “My family and people are hurting,” Yaroslav remarked. “The world can’t just sit and watch.” The Mudryk’s still have relatives and close friends living in Ukraine, with some they have not been in contact with since the invasion began.

“It is important to show support for peace worldwide,” Will Fett of Des Moines voiced. Will and Jill Fett, along with their young daughter Maura attended the rally due to a personal connection to Ukraine, as Jill had visited Ukraine as a child and has Ukrainian friends.“I came here today to show my love for the beautiful country,” she said.

 Another protester, Mary Bruner of Carrol, had a message to say to the people of Ukraine, “We hear you, we see what is happening and we are here for you.” The invasion may be happening over 5000 miles away, but Iowans are united in showing support towards the country’s distressed people.

CAPTION: Protesters gathered at Western Gateway Park on Locust Street in Des Moines, Iowa, before the ‘Peace March in Solidarity with Ukraine’ rally began. They carried signs and represented the Ukrainian flag through its colors: blue and yellow. 

On March 24th, the one-month anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky called for global peace rallies in support of the sovereign nation.

“Come in the name of peace. Come with Ukrainian symbols to support Ukraine, to support freedom, to support life…say that the people matter, freedom matters, peace matters, and Ukraine matters,” Zelensky said in a late-night address.

 Iowa’s ‘Peace March in Solidarity with Ukraine’ was just one of many Ukraine protests statewide this past month. This rally, along with a handful of others, is organized and posted on ‘Iowa Stands With Ukraine!,’ a Facebook group with over 500 members. The page brings together Iowans who can provide and spread information on Ukraine donation organizations, as well as local and national news relating to Ukraine.

As the crisis in Ukraine continues, Iowa and other U.S states, along with nations worldwide, will remain grounded in advocating against the Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine in the allyship of the Ukrainian people.

CAPTION: A protestor flies the Ukrainian flag with the Ukrainian Tryzub (or “trident”) symbol at Iowa’s ‘Peace March in Solidarity with Ukraine’ on Locust Street in Des Moines, Iowa. The golden trident on the blue shield represents the official “coat of arms,” or the hereditary identity symbol, of Ukraine.