'They're going through a genocide too': War in Ukraine compared to Holodomor
Hundreds of Winnipeggers gathered at City Hall Saturday to remember victims of the Holodomor, a man-made famine that killed millions of Ukrainians in 1932-33.
The Holodomor – which literally means "death by hunger" in Ukrainian – took place under the regime of U.S.S.R. leader Joseph Stalin. Scholars estimate up to seven million Ukrainians died from starvation during the collectivization of agriculture under Soviet rule.
The ceremony commemorated the 89th anniversary of the tragedy. Mayor Scott Gillingham and several other politicians were at the event.
"Food is one of our most basic human needs, and one of our most basic human rights. But during the Holodomor, food was used as a weapon to oppress the Ukrainian people," said Gillingham in his speech.
Joanne Lewandosky, President of the Manitoba Provincial Council of the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress, said this year's event had special meaning for those who have recently fled Ukraine because of the war with Russia.
"A great portion of the people (that) were here are newcomers," said Lewandosky. "They're going through a genocide too. It's on the same parallel as the one that happened '32-'33."
She said the current conflict feels like the Holodomor all over again. "Their homes are being bombed, they're losing whatever they’ve had, they’ve had to move, and it's Russia against us again."
Attendees carried black flags to commemorate the Holodomor, and Ukrainian flags to show solidarity with Ukraine in the current conflict. Hymns were sung in remembrance. A banner read "To their eternal memory, to Moscow's eternal shame!"
It's a message more relevant now than ever before, according to Lewandosky. She said Manitoba continues to welcome hundreds of Ukrainians fleeing the war each week.
"Let them find a new home, a place where there's democracy, there's peace, and there's caring."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Calgary police shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers dealt with a distraught individual. The incident lasted almost 20 hours.