SF Candlelight Vigil For Ukraine To Mark War's 200th Day

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A candlelight vigil will be held in San Francisco later this week marking the 200th day of Vladmir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of neighboring Ukraine, a war that's killed an estimated 5,400 civilians and triggered Europe’s worst post-World War II refugee crisis.

The vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at San Francisco’s Ferry Building.

The vigil, which is open to the public, is presented by the groups Hromada, MaydanSF and the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council.

The event will feature three guest speakers followed by an open mic.

Those attending the event are encouraged to bring Ukrainian flags and relevant posters and to wear their vyshyvankas (traditional Ukrainian clothing).

Event organizers said they plan to demand more military and economic support for Ukraine, the official designation of Russia as state sponsor of terrorism, and the recognition that this war is a genocide against the Ukrainian people.

"It is important for us to hold this Vigil so that we all, the US and the world, remember the thousands of fallen victims and we do not forget what a terrible tragedy, devastation, and death are still happening in Ukraine 200 day after the unprovoked brutal invasion by Putin's Russia,” pro-Ukrainian activist Nataliya Anon told Patch.

“If we remember, we will act to do all that is possible and urge our elective officials and the US Government to do more, as more is needed, to end this horrific genocidal war which is claiming hundreds of lives every day."

The event aims to commemorate “all those thousands brave and innocent whose lives were cruelly taken in the war by putin’s Russia against Ukrainian people.”

“We will gather to pay our respects and remember tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, defenders, and innocent civilians whose lives were prematurely and cruelly taken in the genocidal, barbaric putin’s Russia war against Ukraine,” organizers said on the event’s Facebook page.

“We will light the candles or use our phones to remember their innocent lives so abruptly ended and say a prayer for all Ukrainian warriors held in captivity by the vicious enemy,” the group said.

“We will also demand more weapons and support for Ukraine, official designation of Russia as State Sponsor of Terrorism, and recognition of this war as a genocide against the Ukrainian people.”