NORFOLK, Va. — Russia's invasion of Ukraine is now in it's second year, and local Ukrainians are still working to have their voices heard in protest.
A large group gathered in downtown Norfolk for a special "Stand with Ukraine" event Sunday afternoon.
Hampton Roads-area Ukrainians are gathering at Norfolk's Town Point Park to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The anniversary was officially celebrated a few days prior on February 24.
The event started off with the US national anthem, then the Ukrainian national anthem followed, a symbol of the cooperation that the large group came to honor.
The Tidewater Ukrainian Cultural Association held an "unofficial" candlelight vigil event Friday evening, but, according to the group's "Stand With Ukraine" Facebook page, Sunday's event officially marked the occasion.
It's the same location of area Ukrainians' first gathering in protest of the invasion last year.
February 25, 2022, dozens of native Ukrainians organized at the park for around 90 minutes with flags and signs, shaken by what they were seeing and hearing from their home country.
In 2023, that same protest lives. But at this gathering, reasons to celebrate too.
Anna Makhorkina, President of the Tidewater Ukrainian Cultural Association, says the message they wanted to send is that Ukraine still stands, despite continued Russian attacks and a gratitude to the United States for all that has been done in support.
"Year of loss, grief, anger, but it was also a year of hope, pride. I'm choking up as I say it. We learned a lot about ourselves, we learned a lot about our neighbors, we learned a lot about each other," said Makhorkina.
Among supporters that came to Town Point Park was Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander.
It's estimated 115,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the U.S. to escape the war. Numerous events have also been held across the region to raise money in support of Ukraine.
Even though the war in Ukraine continues into it's second year, this group says it hasn't lost hope. The resolve to keep fighting here, and abroad, is as strong as ever.
