A rally will be held in Richmond this Saturday to show support for Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion of the country.
The demonstration is set to begin at 1 p.m. at Richmond City Hall, under the Ukrainian flag on No. 3 Road, before heading towards the Minoru Centre for Active Living.
Richmond city Coun. Chak Au, the event co-organizer, told the Richmond News the idea of hosting a rally in the city was triggered by community members who were eager to show their support for Ukrainians.
"Last week, I saw a local father and his daughter holding signs reading 'Stand with Ukraine' at the corner of Minoru Road. The father told me he isn't Ukrainian, but he chose to protest against Russia as a human being. I felt quite emotional after seeing them," said Au.
"Our country is founded upon principles such as democracy and freedom and it has the second-largest Ukrainian population outside Ukraine. Therefore, we cannot stand by and watch Ukrainian people there."
The gathering is expected to last an hour and representatives from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and Eastern Catholic Church will speak at the rally.
Meanwhile, protests against Russia's invasion have been held across the country in recent days, including in Vancouver's downtown core last week. Thousands of community members showed up outside the Vancouver Art Gallery to show their solidarity with Ukraine.
Richmond city council voted unanimously Monday to put up the Ukrainian flag on No. 3 Road.
Earlier that same day, the Russian flag was taken down from the Richmond Olympic Oval.
Russia's ongoing attack has prompted condemnation around the world and triggered a raft of sanctions.
Canada has joined the European Union and the United States to impose a series of sanctions against Russia targeting major banks and oil refineries as the Russian forces press their advance on the capital Kyiv.
Canada will also prioritize immigration applications for Ukrainians who come to Canada.
