Oct 27

Oct 27 Ukrainians Back At It

Public Declarations, Protest, Performance, Demonstrations

With just ten days until the world’s fate is sealed, Trumpers, Harrisites, and the still undecided are all nervously anticipating the outcome. One group that should be on edge is Chicago’s Ukrainian Community, together with Ukrainians from around the world.

The best case scenario if Donald J. Trump prevails is an imposed settlement on Ukraine; one recognizing an independent Ukraine, while permitting Vladimir Putin and his oligarchs to retain illegally-ceased Ukrainian territory. At the other end of the spectrum, Trump and his Republican acolytes in Congress cut off arms sales to Ukraine, and then watch Russia swallow Ukraine. Maybe the Europeans would increase their military support to Ukraine, but without United States support, Putin would likely expand his military onslaught. Under the latter scenario, violence will continue as Ukrainians mount what would be a prolonged and bloody insurgency against the Russian colonizers. Contrary to what Putin has already told the gullible Trump, such an insurgency would demonstrate that there is a unique Ukrainian national identity.

With so much at stake, I have been surprised that Chicago’s Ukrainians Community has not taken to the streets since they celebrated Ukrainian Independence Day on August 24—there was a very small, targeted protest outside the International Manufacturing Technology Show on September 9th. The Ukrainians, however, are smarter than I am. Two weeks ago, I received a press release reporting that community members were headed to Wisconsin, one of the seven swing states, for either a voter registration drive or a door-to-door information campaign; the release wasn’t entirely clear.

Today, members of the community once again took to the streets; this time at the intersection of Diversey, Clark, and Broadway. Given last week’s revelation that North Korea has sent troops to Russia for deployment on the Ukrainian battlefield, the Ukrainians and everyone else has even more to fear, particularly given Russia’s interference in last Sunday’s election in Moldova, where the populace narrowly approved a referendum to seek admission to the European Union. The narrower-than-hoped-for margin will further encourage Putin in his efforts to reconstitute the Soviet Union of his youth.

Last week, the U.S. Federal Election Commission signaled to wannabe oligarch Elon Musk that his lottery may be illegal under Federal election law, but nobody in Moldova stopped “Illan Shor, a fugitive Moldovan oligarch currently living in Moscow, from openly offering Moldovans cash to vote against the EU bid.” Yes, the Russians do interfere in elections, and not just ours.

Since February 24, 2022, members of Chicago’s Ukrainian Community have warned their fellow Americans that Ukraine is the West’s bulwark against Russian adventurism in Europe, particularly in the former Soviet satellites. The man with the bullhorn at today’s demonstration repeated those warnings—he was loud and clear, speaking mostly in English. If his warnings weren’t enough, there was one Ukrainian war veteran in attendance who stood, but only with the aid of artificial legs. Both of his arms had also been blown off. The West’s monetary support for Ukraine pales in comparison to what that veteran and many other Ukrainians have paid for with life and limb.

Ignoring the plight of the Ukrainians will prove to be one of Trump’s most costly mistakes should he be re-elected. Over the last several months we have seen evidence of a growing hegemonic alliance among Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Left unchecked by the West, we could see military incursions in many parts of the globe. Those military actions will not just adversely affect the freedom of millions of people. The MAGA movement discounts the potential devastating economic impact on the West of such an alliance. In all likelihood, MAGA would bear the heaviest burden of shortages of critical materials (e.g. lithium and cobalt), reduced world economic activity, and supply chain disruptions.

Today’s demonstration attracted 75 people, which is considerably smaller than past Ukrainian demonstrations and marches in Chicago’s downtown and Ukrainian Village. In a strange twist, the localized effort may have been more effective in getting the message out. People who live in the area are not accustomed to demonstrations in Lakeview or Lincoln Park. As I watched people pass by, I sensed that they took more notice than Saturday afternoon shoppers on Michigan Avenue do when the Ukrainians hold a demonstration in Jane Byrne Plaza. Given the three-way intersection, there was lots of traffic, with cars stopping as the traffic signals cycled through their complex pattern. Lots of drivers showing their support by sounding their horns.

Unfortunately, I don’t know the name of the young man who led the demonstration. He was the lone speaker, constantly on the move, circling the intersection with bullhorn in hand. As I was leaving, he led the group in a rousing rendition of the Ukrainian National Anthem. I have no idea how his voice held out. Overall, he did a terrific job.

I, however, was disappointed that nobody came in a Halloween custom, and that no one was handing out Tootsie Rolls. I, however, will get my fill of Halloween this week as I head to New York City to cover the annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.

[I generally don’t take positions regarding the events I cover. I, however, make an exception for Ukrainian and anti-Putin Russian demonstrations. There is only one correct viewpoint.]

[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]