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14 WWW. UNWLA.ORG “НАШЕ ЖИ ТТЯ”, ЛЮТИЙ 2014 The hope for an optimistic future, which glimmered in the eyes of the young and the older protestors of EuroMaidan, has abruptly turned into despair (this article is being written on Jan u- ary 20th). The signing of draconian new laws o n January 16th by the President of Ukraine and the banning of more or less everything, together with the violent showdowns which followed on Jan u- ary 19th and 20th, robbed the people on the Maidan of that future. Today, I believe it is fair to say that no o ne has any idea what the future holds for the citizens of Ukraine. These are historic, yet fearful, times. President Yanukovych has “gulag - ed” the Ukrainian nation sapping, draining the spirit and hopes of the Ukrainian people. What was thought to be the b irth of a new nation is turning into r e- pressions and dictatorship. Even the hope of a fair 2015 election has been dashed with the outlawing of non - governmental civic organizations’ partic i- pation in the race and the promise of $1.6 billion by the President of Russia to boost Yanukovich’s presidential run. We can only pray that the government of Ukraine finally listens to the Maidan whose r e- quests thus far have fallen on deaf ears; we can only pray that the repressive new laws will be r e- scinded and two - way c ommunication will take precedence over the President’s silence and vi o- lence; we can only pray that this can be acco m- plished without extensive bloodshed. Is this even possible, considering the last few days of truly unbelievable events? For weeks now, howev er, the U.S. Ukrainian diaspora has concentrated on d o- ing all it could to gain the support of the U.S. go v- ernment in this struggle, and the UNWLA has played a major role in this extensive effort. At this crucial and disturbing time in Ukrainian history, th e Ukrainian National Wo m- en’s League of America felt compelled to quickly demonstrate its support for the Ukrainian people who took to the streets to defend their human rights and the right to live in a civil society. The UNWLA, through its Regional Council s and Branches, appealed to its supporters throughout the diaspora for donations to help in the human i- tarian aid and medical assistance which would be distributed to the protestors in need of such aid. In order to protect the identity of those acting as o ur “feet on the ground,” a full report of don a- tions and acknowledgements will be prepared once the situation settles in Ukraine. What we can share with you, however, is that the UNWLA has helped students who are volunteering as medics (with medical and oth er supplies which they need to perform their work as well as with their pe r- sonal needs, such as warm clothing, dry shoes, a place to shower and sleep); we have also helped students who were injured in the demonstrations with their medical care as well as w ith essentials such as dry clothing, living quarters, transport a- tion home, etc. Our branches continue to gather donations for the Maidan. As we have stated r e- peatedly in the past and would like to emphasize at this time, the UNWLA is a nonpolitical organ i- z ation and is not aligning itself with any of the opposition parties or specific political goals — our aid is strictly humanitarian and in defense of h u- man rights and democracy. The UNWLA has joined diaspora organ i- zations in letter writing and awareness ca m- pa igns. O ur Vice President for Public Relations began writing letters and e - mails to both gover n- ment officials and our own UNWLA membership shortly after the Maidan’s inception. On Nove m- ber 30, 2013, Lidia Bilous wrote a letter to Secr e- tary of State John Ker ry about the violence perp e- trated by the Ukrainian government and followed this letter with a correspondence on Dec ember 10th, respectfully requesting stronger measures and sanctions against Ukrainian government; on Dec 20th thank - you letters were mailed o ut to Senators McCain and Murphy for their trips to Ukraine in a show of support for the demonstr a- tors; she also promptly wrote letters to the UNWLA Board of Trustees requesting their pa r- ticipation in fundraising for humanitarian aid to the Maidan; several appeals were made to UNWLA members and friends of Ukraine to write and get in touch with their Senators, Congres s- men and other legislators to request imposing sanctions on Ukraine’s leaders. You will also read in this issue an in - depth and uplifting artic le by Lidia Bilous about Ruslana Lyzhychko, a heroine of EuroMaidan, focusing on why a young profe s- sional would put love of country over her succes s- ful private life. In addition, we have been forwar d- ing all pertinent and current information about U.S. gove rnment reactions to events in Ukraine to our Board so that its members can keep their membership abreast of the situation. And, indeed, there have been positive r e- sults in sharing information and gaining support
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