This story was originally published in the print publication of the MATC Times on April 21, 2023.
On Feb. 26, Ukrainians and their allies gathered together in downtown Milwaukee to mark the one year anniversary of the War in Ukraine. I compare this meeting with the one that took place a year ago.
People were confused and scared, and the weather of that year corresponded to the mood – heavy. There was a low sky and a cold wind. Gloomy faces were met with endless signs of support from vehicles driving by. There was fear and a sense of helplessness. One demonstrator said, “We didn’t know what to do when an onslaught of barbarians from the east came upon our naive country. No one knew what to do in a great war to the death.”
This year, the sun came out and it was unusually warm for February. The crowd was filled with smiles and tears of hope.
Yes, Ukrainians now have hope.
