“We’re doing this for the students,” said one demonstrator. “We’re counting on your generation to fix this mess.”
Every Thursday, elderly residents of Carol Woods stand on the sidewalk holding sunflowers—a Ukrainian symbol of resistance against Russian invasion—and bright Ukrainian flags. Cars honk back enthusiastically.
“Our goal is to remind people that Ukraine is there and we can’t give up,” said Nancy Milio, a demonstrator who proudly waved a Ukrainian flag. “What’s happening is really real.”
They started three weeks after the Russian-Ukrainian war began. At the start, nearly 30 people showed up to demonstrate, for no reason other than to spread awareness, although some demonstrators had personal influences. Will Brooks and Jacquie Allen were inspired to demonstrate from times in their youth when they were affected by war, such as the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II. Pat Brooks and Will Brooks had both lived in Ukraine.
During the summer, the temperature was too high for most people to stay outdoors, but Allen kept the tradition alive. Now, their numbers are growing again, with about nine people coming out to participate every Thursday.
Many demonstrators voiced the importance of spreading awareness, especially when people have begun to forget that the war is still happening. Milio stated that the most crucial aspect of coming out and spreading awareness is to “be informed and stay informed. Don’t let it drop.”
But they also urged students to think on a broader scale.
“Think about the environmental consequences of what Putin is doing, letting all that gas escape, all of those buildings that will have to be rebuilt,” Bob Hellwig said.
The demonstrators hope that the students of East Chapel Hill High and the younger generation will work toward peace, and they want to facilitate positive change by bringing attention and awareness to Ukraine.
Photos by Avery Tortora/The ECHO
