‘EuroMaidan’ demonstration in North Port

   The Ukrainian American community in Southwest Florida will stage a peaceful demonstration of support Friday for the protesters and demonstrators in the “Euro-Maidans” in Ukraine. The original and largest demonstration called “EuroMaidan,” with some 200,000 participants last Sunday, is in the Independence Plaza — known as “Maidan” in Ukrainian — in the capital city of Kyiv. It was visited recently by several high-ranking foreign politicians and officials, including our senators, John McCain (Republican) and Chris Murphy (Democrat). Similar demonstrations, all calling themselves Euro-Maidans, are taking place in all large and small cities in Ukraine, and in many cities throughout the world, all demanding resignation of the cabinet of ministers headed by Mykola Azarov, the freeing of all those arrested during the attempted breakup of the demonstration, the punishment of officials who ordered and members of police units who committed acts of violence in an attempt to break up the peaceful demonstration, and snap parliamentary and presidential elections.

    The demonstration was triggered by President Viktor Yanukovych’s refusal, in the last minute, to sign an agreement with the European Union, despite the fact that he was talking constantly about his desire and plan to sign.

    Local residents are being asked to gather at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the corner of South Biscayne Drive and U.S. 41, next to Farley Funeral Home. If possible, prospective demonstrators should wear Ukrainian embroidered shirts/blouses and bring Ukrainian flags.

    The Southwest Florida Ukrainian American community is very busy raising funds for humanitarian aid in support of demonstrators who stay in the EuroMaidan day and night, even when it snows and the temperature drops below zero, and signing petitions to our senators and congressmen asking for their support for the demonstrators seeking human rights and justice in Ukraine.

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    Members of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans met last Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious Center (known as the “Oseredok”). The meeting’s agenda included reports of officers — with the finance officer’s report and discussion that followed taking up most of the time — approving a donation of $300 for EuroMaidan in Ukraine via the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee Inc., and the induction of a new member.

    Post members were shocked by the announcement of the popular finance officer, Col. Askold D. Mosijczuk, M.D., USA (Ret.), that he will be leaving Florida. Post Commander Eugene

A. Tomashosky asked Vice Commander Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), to assume the duties of finance officer until the next election. All are wishing Col. Mosijczuk the best of luck in his and his wife’s new location. My wife and I have known his parents and him since he was a teenager in Buffalo, N.Y., and will miss him.

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    The Canadian Press reported that Valj Semerenko of Ukraine won bronze in the 7.5 kilometer women’s skiing on Dec. 14 in Le Grand Bomand, France, during the IBU World Cup Biathlon. Swiss Selina Gasparin won gold, and Finland’s Kairsa Makarainen, silver.

    Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed at atanask@aol.com. 

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

by Atanas Kobryn