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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((TITLE: TV Ukrainian Community Rallies California – Shevchenko
HEAD: Ukrainian-Americans in California Hold Rallies to Support Their Homeland
DATE: 02/09/2022
PUBLISHED AT: 2/9/2022 AT 2:20PM
BYLINE: Khrystyna Shevchenko
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, California
VIDEOGRAPHER: Khrystyna Shevchenko
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Other (see courtesy)
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE(1st), BR
PLATFORMS: TV only
TRT: 3:09
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: ))
((INTRO:))
[[Ukrainian communities in some large California cities are taking to the streets in peaceful demonstrations to express support for their homeland as Russia seems to be preparing to invade the country. Khrystyna Shevchenko has this report from California.]]
((NARRATION))
As tensions run high between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian Americans in Los Angeles gathered in one of the busiest neighborhoods of the city.
Waving Ukranian flags and wearing traditional Ukranian embroidered shirts, the crowd shouted out their support for their homeland.
((NATS)) ((Cries – Ukraine is free, will always be!))
((NARRATION))
The slogan could be heard for blocks. On one large poster held high in the air: a picture of Vladimir Putin and a plea to stay out of Ukraine.
((Mykhailo Lavrys, Pro-Ukraine Demonstrator)) ((IN UKRAINIAN))
“We speak out against Russia’s aggression! Russian propaganda is misrepresenting the situation in Ukraine. Ukraine is a peaceful and democratic country; Ukraine is not supporting fascism! Ukraine stands for peace!”
((NARRATION))
Members of other communities have joined the pro-Ukraine demonstrations, including Lithuanians, Belarusians and Georgians.
((George Patriashvili, Demonstrator))
“Ukraine is going through the same invasion that Georgia has been going through for the past 30 years! So, we are here to give support to our brothers and sisters and let the United States government know that they need to do more to support Ukrainian independence and freedom and stop Russian occupation!”
((NATS)) ((Cars honking))
((NARRATION))
Residents expressed their support as well – many just honked excitedly, while others left their cars and joined the crowd.
((Dan Benbenisti, Demonstrator))
“Russia invaded Ukraine eight years ago and they are preparing to invade even more now. And as everyone knows, Russia has also been launching a hybrid war, a disinformation war against Ukraine, and not only in Ukraine, but in the United States, throughout Europe, throughout the world…”
((NATS)) ((Chanting “No Putin in Ukraine!”))
((NARRATION))
In Santa Monica – a coastal city just west of downtown Los Angeles - several dozen people also came together to express their solidarity with Ukraine, and for Washington’s support of Kyiv.
((NATS)) ((Anthem singing))
((NARRATION))
In San Diego, the local
((Mandatory courtesy: Video by Mira Rubin))
Ukrainian community organized a peaceful demonstration as well. About a hundred Ukrainian Americans gathered in Balboa Park.
But it was the demonstration in San Francisco
((End courtesy))
((Mandatory courtesy: Andriy Shegera))
that proved to be the largest one in California. Holding signs that read “Stand for Ukraine”, some 200 Ukrainians took to the streets and were
((End courtesy))
((Mandatory courtesy: Yuri Bondarchuk))
joined by people from Silicon Valley and even students from Stanford University
((End courtesy))
((Mandatory courtesy: Andriy Shegera))
and the University of California, Berkeley.
((NATS)) ((Protesters chanting))
((End courtesy))
((NARRATION))
The demonstrators in California say they are willing to continue organizing rallies until Russia withdraws its troops from the border with Ukraine.
((Khrystyna Shvchenko, for VOA News, in California))
NewsML Media TopicsHuman Interest
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 9, 2022 14:24 EST
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
