UCCA calls on Ukrainian community in US to honor memory of Heavenly Hundred

“In advance of Heavenly Hundred Remembrance Day in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the largest representation of Americans of Ukrainian descent, calls upon the Ukrainian-American community and all supporters of Ukraine to honor the memory of the Heavenly Hundred and all Heroes of the Revolution of Dignity who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives five years ago,” reads the UCCA statement, a reference to which was posted on committee’s Facebook page.

The UCCA reminded that group of protestors, then named The Heavenly Hundred, were killed in clashes with security forces in Kyiv on February 20, 2014. “Their sacrifice is a reminder of the Ukrainian nation’s eternal aspirations for freedom.”

“It is with great reverence that we mark the fifth anniversary of the Heavenly Hundred.  They were heroes who gave their lives in defense of Ukraine, and I urge the entire community and all those that share our grief to join UCCA in this solemn observance,” stated UCCA President Andriy Futey.

To honor the memory of the Heavenly Hundred, UCCA called upon the Ukrainian diaspora to “organize community prayer services or candlelight vigils on or adjacent to February 20, Heavenly Hundred Remembrance Dayi in Ukraine.” Also, the UCCA offers to “organize commemorative events with the participation of Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians alike, government representatives and the mass media”.

The UCCA also called on informing the international community that “the Russian Federation waged terrorist and destructive acts in Ukraine because the Revolution of Dignity put an end to Russian imperialist plans to pull Ukraine into the Eurasian union, recreating thereby the Soviet Union”.