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Americans rally around Ukraine

by mcardinal

Lauren Moye, FISM News

 

Gripped by both the tragedy of families destroyed as well as heroic tales of Ukrainian citizens and soldiers, Americans seek to show support to the country under Russian assault.  Some businesses and citizens have found creative ways to show their support as calls increase for the White House to do even more to reign in the Kremlin.

Many Americans have looked to provide emotional support to Ukrainian-Americans, many of whom often still have family in danger within the borders of their home country. One of the simplest gestures that has been taking place across the nation is rallies where Americans have stood shoulder to shoulder in public unity with the Ukrainian victims.

At one rally in Columbia, South Carolina, Ukrainian-American Elena Brown described Russia’s attempt to “destroy [Ukraine]’s way to be independent” as “heartbreaking” to a WACHFox reporter. Because Brown was unable to fly to her Ukrainian family currently housed in Poland, she went instead to the local rally. She said, “I had to just go through emotions like this and I came here. I have to go somewhere.”

Despite this and her appreciation for the current U.S. response to Russia in support of Ukraine, Brown feels like there needs to be more support from the U.S. government. She isn’t alone.

Demonstrators converged in Washington D.C. demanding an end to the invasion and pleading with Biden to do more in both military support and sanctions.

One Ukrainian citizen at the event, Khyrstyna Manot, told the Washington Examiner, “We’re going up against the world’s largest army, and we can’t, we need more. I understand the United States has been helping, but it’s not enough. I think they can do a lot more and they should do a lot more.”

The White House has responded to the invasion by placing heavy sanctions on Russian banks and Putin. The U.S. has pledged over $1 billion in military assistance according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Biden has so far refused to send troops to Ukraine’s aid or open up the American energy sector in response.

Other American’s have looked to show their support through financial donations. Ukraine has already raised over $13 million in bitcoin since making a public appeal for assistance through its official Twitter page on Saturday.

The Better Business Bureau has published tips for selecting appropriate charity organizations, including making sure an organization is actually able to get the relief promptly to Ukraine and cautioning against crowdfunding donations. The BBB said, “If engaging in crowdfunding, it is safest to give to someone you personally know and trust, and review the platform’s policies regarding fees and distribution of collected funds.”

Organizations can also be vetted through give.org. However, sometimes a decision can be simplified through a generous giving pledge match such as the one celebrity couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have offered. They partnered with nonprofit organization USA for UNHCR to match up to $1 million in donations according to Reynold’s Instagram.

Some savvy small business shoppers have identified one unique way to directly get funds into the hands of suffering Ukrainian families by utilizing Etsy’s listing filter to locate shops located in Ukraine. Because the war closed the airspace over Ukraine, many of these shop-owners are unable to ship goods at the moment but do offer digital downloads for purchase. 

Others have noted that the global online marketplace gains a cut of the profit from this method of direct support. These have petitioned Etsy to donate profit from these sales directly to humanitarian aid for the country. Etsy responded by cancelling all balances of money owed from advertising and listing fees from Ukranian based sellers.

Meanwhile, some American businesses and States have found another way to make their voices heard by cutting off Russian products. The Hill reported that liquor stores and bars within Kansas, Michigan, Oregon, and Vermont are removing Russian vodka from their shelves to make room for greater sales of Ukrainian vodka. Similarly, some state legislators like Vermont’s State Senator Louise Lucas and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine have pushed for the cessation of Russian-own liquor.

American Christians have also heeded the call to pray for both Russia and Ukraine, asking for a speedy resolution to the war and for the protection of citizens caught in the crossfire.

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