The UNC Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies hosted a campus rally in solidarity with Ukraine on Thursday, following Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, which began February 23, as reported by the New York Times.
"When you look at all these students here, it breaks your heart knowing their peers in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and elsewhere in Ukraine are being shelled right now, watching their cities being destroyed, their families torn apart," said Adnan Džumhur, associate director of the Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies.
As Ukraine's national flower, sunflowers have come to represent resistance, unity, and hope with this conflict.
Sophomore romance language and psychology double major Lucia Lynch writes a note of support of Ukraine.
"Say No to Putin" posters lay on tables at the campus rally in solidarity with Ukraine.
A collection Pysankas, which are Ukrainian Easter eggs, was raffled off at the rally to support Ukranian efforts.
Maryana Kapustina, research associate professor at the UNC School of Medicine, speaks to attendees at the rally in solidarity with Ukraine.
Organizers made friendship bracelets to distribute to attendees at the rally in solidarity with Ukraine.
A community member dons a Ukrainian flag in solidarity with Ukraine at the rally in Polk Place.
"Yes, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine today, people here and around the world care about what is going on, we all want to help. But wars don't end overnight, and this one is so unjust and so cruel. My fear is that we haven't seen the worst of it yet," Džumhur said.
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.
