Chicagoans Hold Rally In Support Of Ukraine In Norwood Park
CHICAGO (CBS) -- All eyes were on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv late Thursday, as we have learned Russia has launched at least 160 missiles into Ukraine as part of their attack.
The capital city is more than 5,000 miles from Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood, but both are home to proud Ukrainians. At a rally in Norwood Park Thursday morning, Chicagoans showed support for friends, neighbors, and family back in their home that is now a war zone.
There was pride as the Ukrainian national anthem blasted and horns honked. Despite the many miles between them, the Chicagoans at the rally vowed to be one with their homeland.
They gathered at the entrance to the Harlem Avenue Blue Line stop over the Kennedy Expressway to tell the world, "We need help."
Iryna Romanchenko told us she did not sleep all night.
"My son is in Ukraine," she said. "I worry about him because close to my house, we had a bomb attack."
But underneath the fear, there was resolve.
"Putin is a dictator," said one woman named Marta. "He cannot claim Ukraine."
"He just wants to occupy Ukraine, take over, destroy our people – but we're not going to let that happen," said Valentin Balaban.
Balaban's sister lives in Ukraine. That is why he came to the rally.
"She has my young nephew out there," he said. "He's scared. He's small. He doesn't want to die."
And again and again, there were pleas.
"Please, please support us. I want my mom, my dad. My family to live peacefully," Marta said, "so stop the war, please."
"America, please help us," added Olena Balaban, "Stop World War III."
When we asked what more the rest of the world can do to help, supporters called for strict sanctions and stronger action from NATO.
