Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
A large “Stop Putin” sign written in the colours of the Ukrainian flag—blue and yellow—led a procession of people as they marched downtown in Jasper on Feb. 28.
The show of support for Ukraine as it fights Russia’s invasion—there were an estimated 200 people in the march—came about when a small group of folks in Jasper decided to take action after hearing reports of military strikes, injuries and casualties.
“It’s such a terrible thing,” said Andrea Ziegler, one of the organizers.
“We are watching this unfold on our screen.”
Ziegler and her husband Brian Wilson, along with Bob and Nicole Covey and Pam Genik, talked on Feb. 26 and by 8 p.m. had decided to do a community walk on Feb. 28 at noon.
“We spread the word on Saturday might on Facebook,” Ziegler said.
“We called people, texted people, just spread the word through all our contacts, asked them to let others know.”
The walk started at the Old Jasper Firehall, escorted by Jasper RCMP and the Municipality of Jasper’s bylaw personnel.
Ziegler, Nicole and Genik are of Ukrainian descent.
“We’re feeling this so hard,” Ziegler said.
“It’s not about the heritage. It’s affecting all of us. We all feel so helpless.”
There have been marches of support for Ukraine throughout Canada and all over the world.
“We expected to see marches in cities,” Ziegler said.
“Seeing a significant demonstration in a small town demonstrated to our elected leaders the resolve of Canadians and our united support of Ukraine.”
Ziegler said the outcome of the march was “amazing” and added how she did not expect such a large number of people to show up that day.
Around 80 staff and students from École Desrochers were in the march after teachers from the school saw the plans, spread the word and made it happen.
“As an educational instructor, we must teach our students to read and write,” said Marie-France Miron, kindergarten teacher at the school.
“We also have a role that goes beyond the basics. As Nelson Mandela said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.’ It was unthinkable for us to remain impassive in the face of what’s going on in Ukraine. It’s important to be good citizens.”
Miron recalled École Desrochers taking part in a climate change movement a while back, noting that the students, from pre-kindergarten to Grade 12, were “very engaged” in the march for Ukraine.
“Right after recess, we had a little talk about what was going on. A lot of students knew about what was going on. We explained to those who needed a better idea. We made signs, the students wore yellow and blue to signify the Ukrainian flag.”
Agnes Hisey, an Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge resident, said she was honoured to take part in the walk.
“I was a child in England when the Second World War started; I was about six,” she said. “I went through it until we left for Canada in 1946.
“I’m well aware of the fear, the sound of sirens they show on TV. It brings memories. It’s very hard.”
Hisey and her family lived close to London, and she remembered “V1s being sent across the channel, aimed at London.”
“There were no men in them; you could hear them coming. They would land and blow up.”
Hisey went into a shelter inside the house for protection.
“It was an air raid shelter in the dining room. I counted explosions. When you heard them explode, you prayed for the people they fell on.”
