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SALT LAKE CITY — A sea of yellow and blue flags, carried by locals who oppose the war in Ukraine, made their way to the Utah Capitol on Saturday in a show of solidarity.
Some marchers were there to show support and others have very personal ties to the war-torn country.
Albina Truax lives in American Fork, but she is from Mariupol, Ukraine, and still has family there, including her mom, uncle and a brother with disabilities. She hasn't been able to talk to them for almost two weeks and she said she is worried.
Mariupol is under Russian siege and while Ukrainians are trying to maintain their hold on the city, international reports point to a weakening defense. Many have fled from the port city as destruction and shelling continues.
Utah's rally was in concert with others across the country, sending a message to the federal government in the United States. Organizers hoped to deliver a message for the U.S. to help establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine, stop crimes against humanity, lift restrictions on shipments containing defense equipment, provide military aid and more.
The heartfelt mantra of many in attendance, as they recited the national anthem of Ukraine and other ceremonial circumstance, was to help the people of Ukraine.
Truax said that the Utah rally not only brought Ukrainians together in Utah, but also Utahns and people from Poland and Russia. She said events like this help support her through this uncertain time.
"It helps me to know that I'm not alone and helps me to realize how many people here are from Ukraine and fighting for the same thing," Truax said. "And it also helps me to feel support from people also from (the) United States, because sometimes you can feel lonely when you don't hear from your family for so long."
She suggested that one simple thing people can do to help is just to spread information about what is going on and about Ukraine, including sharing posts from native Ukrainians. She said that it is sad to her when people don't know what is going on. She also suggested donating to the Red Cross.
She stressed that the people and families in Ukraine are real people, including children, elderly people, and those with disabilities. She said that in her city there have been children dying because they don't have food, and there was a mom who died to protect her daughter.
"They're real stories, real families, real people," Truax said
