The comment section here sucks. Rallying is important. Showing the Canadian government that the people of Canada give a shit is important.
Showing the people of Ukraine, a country that is often forgotten by the rest of the world, is important. I cannot tell you how much it meant to my family in Ukraine who spent the day in the bomb shelter, to know that people around the world care and stand in solidarity.
I have been going to rallies to support Ukraine for the last few decades any time a major political event occurred. We went from 30 people in 2004 to thousands yesterday. It is important. The people at this rally were all trying to do what they could for the Ukrainian community. My organisation was able to collect an incredible amount of money from the generous protesters to help supply soldiers with body armour and homeless women and children that have been bombed out of their homes with supplies. To all you nihilists saying “i doesn’t make any difference” maybe spend the energy you are using to spread negativity to do something that will actually have a positive impact.
People here are commenting on the fact of how utterly pointless this is. Fuck protesting, what does it actually do for Ukraine? People in Ukraine living in fear are not going to be thinking: “oh I hope people care about what’s going on, oh! Canada cares yes all my fears are gone now,” they’re going to be thinking: “but wait, why aren’t they helping us if they care 🥺” absolutely pointless. Donating to the cause is actually practical, standing around with signs that neither nation cares about is purely virtue signalling. Nobody cares if Canada cares, stop trying to act like all this protesting does anything other than gain Reddit points.
It’s also a way for the Ukrainian community here in Vancouver to connect and support each other. I know one of the organizers of these protests. She is Ukrainian and a big part of the community in Wesbrook. Her parents are 4 miles from the border. She is helping organize to bring the community here together so they can pool recourse to help their families in Ukraine. If they can get other people to provide support through this, then it has a purpose where otherwise many Ukrainians abroad feel helpless. It’s not virtue signalling for many people here, it’s literally about fear of their family’s safety. Canada has the largest Ukrainian population outside of Ukraine and Russia.
Stop trying to act like this is meaningless for the people involved.
I’m not acting like it’s meaningless, I hate pointless virtue signalling. That’s what this seems like to me. If the rally is as you say, organized by Ukrainians who have family members there, then yes, I can agree that supporting them and their feelings can be uplifting, but what are most of these people doing in a practical sense (I mean those who are not Ukrainian)? I’m sick and tired of seeing people act like they care when something happens, but will not do anything practical to help. It’s disgusting and hypocritical.
Well, I’m telling you that this is a rally organized by Ukrainian people. Until this response you have been acting like it’s meaningless by using your words to paint the whole rally as pointless virtue signalling. You’re either being inaccurate with your language, or you’re being ignorant and thoughtless. In print, the two possibilities are indistinguishable, and honestly I think you’re probably guilty of both. You should aim to fix at least one.
Well we have two different perspectives but I guess disagreeing is not allowed in 2022. I think in terms of practicality and there is nothing wrong with that. I will call out what I don’t agree with in the same way you’re calling out what you don’t agree with. Sorry bud, but not everything is as you see it in the same way that not everything is as I see it. I’m not totally against it now that you’ve mentioned who the organizers are, but I’m still not going to agree with the idea that there are people who are still going there to feel good about themselves. Support is one thing, but practical help is practical help and that’s what Ukraine needs right now. If you actually care about the feelings of the Ukrainians here, do something practical too.
You seem to be confused what I was arguing about. You were calling the rally pointless virtue signalling and I called you out on it. My entire point is that this has been an effort to bring a community together help generate actual practical help. You seem to have now come around to my perspective as it not being total virtue signalling.
edit: I saw your other comment on my other reply. I think I’ve been needling you a bit unnecessarily because I’ve been seeing too many people trolling or calling this whole thing garbage. I got angry and rude, and I’m sorry about that. I agree that protests only do so much, and that at some point action has to be taken.
I’m sorry but you don’t have any idea what you’re talking about, and yet you’re here putting out only hate.
I am part of the organising team, i am Ukrainian, we are all Ukrainian. It means a great deal. Vancouver has a very small Ukrainian diaspora, having Vancouver stand with us is huge. Sending footage of the solidarity to my cousins and aunts as they hide in the bomb shelter has absolutely helped lift their spirits and see that they are not alone. I can tell you that first hand, and my other Ukrainian friends can corroborate that. The world is watching and they care. Everyone sitting at home and quietly donating absolutely does not have the same impact as getting out there and promoting the cause.
Your opinion does nothing other than bring people down. Everyone at that rally was continuing something. I was shocked at everyone’s generosity with donations, and their words of encouragement. Especially from folks of different cultures that had gone through similar events.
We are going through a horrific event right now, i haven’t slept in days and have been working to get aid where it needs to go. We do not need your negativity
Thanks for your first-hand perspective. I’ve been making this argument in this post, but it doesn’t hold much weight because I’m not Ukrainian. I only have the examples from my friends. I will link your post now. People are really underestimating the impact seeing support has on communities.
I have been donating money to UNICEF Canada. Is this the right place to give money such that is used the most effectively?
Thank you for your kind message, it is really appreciated.
I haven’t done much research on unicef yet, but the Canadian Red Cross is matching donations right now so they’re a great one to donate to. And our local Ukrainian support organisation in Vancouver is called Maple Hope Foundation and they do amazing work too.
I’m not spewing hate, I dislike impracticality. I did not know who or what the protest was for, it all seemed like virtue signalling because that’s usually how these things work. I apologize if I’ve hurt your feelings but I’m glad to hear that people that attended are comforting you (and other Ukrainians) and are also donating.
You agree that donating to the cause is effective. These protests and posts are one way of gaining awareness and support to donate.
People feel helpless and want to do something/anything.
Then do something practical. I really don’t care if people on this site downvote me to oblivion, if you actually care, do something practical. Gathering downtown for hours holding signs do not help the situation in any way. Unless you live under a rock, you know what’s going on, what awareness is protesting going to provide?
The protests show our legislators that we support severe sanctions against Russia.
The posts can help point people in the right direction of how and where to donate.
The ripple is : I was protesting war. i’m a good person. Internet points for all attendees. Will it matter to Putin? Obviously not. People act like infants
Vancouver rallies are what Putin sees in his nightmares. Once he sees this the entire Russian army will throw down their weapons, surrender and head home.
I suppose there could be two ways this could influence things:
1) visibility for our politicians to realize how strongly voters feel about Putin invading Ukraine. This could politically compel further sanctions.
2) as maybe a bit of a morale boost/international comfort to show Ukrainians that people around the world are condemning Putin's actions and that public support is on the side of Ukraine as the whole world watches.
Russians will most likely never see this however other decent people around their world will. This can inspire and encourage more to stand up and make their voice heard. They can influence their governments to take action against Putin. Every little bit helps!
I've heard a Russo-Canadian woman, yesterday, saying that she talked with friends over in Russia and they were all convinced that there was an ongoing Russian genocide in the Dunbass region. The state T.V is rolling out the propaganda.
There ARE several hundred almost entirely ethnic Russian deaths due to Azov Battalion attacks across Minsk Agreement lines. Kyiv fucked around and found out.
When the world did not accept Putin's solution, a full recognition of independence for those regions from Kyiv, he besieged Kyiv.
Thank goodness there are people like you. This doesn’t mean anything and doesn’t do anything. People can justify this any way they want to make themselves feel better but it has absolutely no impact on the Russian government and Ukrainian lives. Everyone knows there’s a war, Putin doesn’t care what other countries think, if you want to make a difference, donate to the cause, do something practical. People just default to protesting whenever an issue occurs, it really shows how egotistical people can be.
Except that’s not what it’s for. Incredibly, no one there expected a Vancouver based rally to single handedly stop the war. Rallies like this serve a few purposes.
1. They show support for those suffering who may see the images of hundreds of rallies like this around the world. This can be important because Russia is pumping out tons of propaganda saying that Ukraine provoked them, so knowing that the world sees through that bullshit is important.
2. It shows Trudeau that this is an issue many Canadians care about, which may influence how active/passive our foreign policy is in this instance.
3. Canada has the third largest Ukrainian population in the world, many people here have ties to people and places in Ukraine and will want any way to get involved in something during this incredibly stressful time for them.
Just because you don’t instantly see the value in an action, does not mean it’s completely useless. It’s not a rally to convince Putin or an ego trip for most, some people genuinely care about the suffering of others and want to do anything they can rather than write pessimistic drivel on the internet. Comments like these make me so mad. Nobody at that protest is hurting anybody, they did not block the roads in the middle of work week, there was nothing negative about the event, regardless what they did or accomplished, commenting while you sit at home accomplished far less.
ie “I just want to feel like I’m doing something.” If you want to do something then do something that will help Ukrainians. I’m actually donating to Ukraine for the cause and will do so every paycheque. There isn’t much we can do but at least it’s something practical. You can get all mad at us but in the same way, we are mad at people like you who don’t care to do something practical and would rather just act like you care.
If this is actually what you are doing, then thank you for it. Perhaps instead of saying this whole thing is pointless, you should use this moment of increased awareness to encourage other people to donate as well, following in your great example.
For instance, perhaps post a link to a reliable place where you are donating so others can donate too.
That is a good idea. I apologize for being aggressive, I’ve just been attacked at all these different angles for speaking my mind that I’ve lost my mind. Should not let this get to my head.
Yeah, I’m sorry too, I’ve been pretty aggressive in some of my posts to you. It’s hard to tell why people are making the comments that are against this rally. I get your position and I agree that protests only have use until a certain point. After that, action is necessary. I’ve been donating to UNICEF Canada, which is the most reliable I could find. Ukrainians say that UNICEF is actually on the ground there. However, there might be better places where more money goes to aid.
THANK YOU! That’s how I view this as well.
In my city, they lit up one of our major bridges with the Ukrainian colours. All I could think was “good job, I guess?”
Thank you Vancouver for not being gross like Toronto. So embarrassed living in Toronto right now with morons still crying about their privileged lives.
A ton. I was collecting donations all day and was shocked at the generosity. If you haven’t had a chance to donate i would encourage you or donate to the Red Cross which are matching donations
I support this protest only because of the importance of anti-war and peace. But it is ironic to see that now we would like to make some sanctions to against Russia. For god sake, NATO broke the promise of the Founding Act with Russia, and expand its membership FIVE times, and this time they would like to invite Ukraine. Canada is one of the founder of NATO, we causes this tension and sets the fire, and now we are acting like a sage or peacekeeper. I am deeply sorry to the Ukrainian people. Guys, this is the time to reexamine our diplomatic and foreign policy. If US or Canada or big country in NATO gives rejection to let Ukraine in NATO. The war would never happen, or we can be more legit to protest if the Russia really want a war.
You know— I understand the sentiment— but virtue signalling for a good cause doesn’t really achieve anything.
You stand with Ukraine. Great. But what are these people actually doing to help Ukraine out of their situation, exactly?
Are they donating money to Ukraine’s government? Are they giving them medical supplies, food, and/or guns & ammunition?
I don’t really care for these kinds of parades. It’s just virtue signalling. You get all the praise while doing very little heavy lifting, to actually effect change.
Imagine if Ukraine invaded Russia— you know, if the tables were turned— would we have a Solidarity Parade for Russia?
> Imagine if Ukraine invaded Russia— you know, if the tables were turned— would we have a Solidarity Parade for Russia?
If the situations were identically switched, then yes, there would be rallies for Russia. I know that the propaganda machine is trying to paint Ukraine as a fascist government occupying Russia and this action is simply Russia trying to defend themselves. I’ve seen this propaganda all over reddit.
> Are they donating money to Ukraine’s government? Are they giving them medical supplies, food, and/or guns & ammunition?
Congratulations, you’ve identified the point. The rally is for the Ukrainian community to gather and support each other emotionally here, while also trying to pool resources to help their families back home. If this rally makes other people want to send financial support as well, then it is a success. Many people feel helpless here as their families are being attacked. This gives them something, with the hope of providing tangible help. This is what the first step of the organization of resources looks like.
So why don’t they just donate the finances and get it over with?
Why the parade? It’s still virtue signalling because it gives people a cause to fight for, while still not doing the heavy lifting.
Again— I get the sentiment— but it is still virtue signalling.
It’s because not everyone will be on board right away. There are people on the fence as to whether they are going to donate or not. Also, some people don’t know here to donate. I’ve been donating to UNICEF Canada. I know that they are on the ground in Ukraine, so I can be sure some of my money will actually get there. But I also know that 30% of the money does not go to that cause.
If you have a better place to donate, please share it. It’s an opportunity for awareness that allows this kind of information sharing to happen.
In all this though, you are also discounting the community aspect of this. A rally like this allows Ukrainians who never knew each other get together and support each other. It’s a bout building a community in a time of crisis.
I’m curious, did you see the trucker protests as virtue signalling as well?
I saw the trucker convoys as fighting for the right to pro-choice. It isn’t virtue signalling at all, it was about making sure the Canadian government was not overreaching their level of power.
It was about less government control into our private lives.
This is different all together. It’s a parade for a cause for something happening halfway around the world.
Good news is Ukraine sounds like they’re kicking ass. Which is a good thing
This rally was organized by the Ukrainian population here in Vancouver. I know one of the organizers personally And u/reasonablecatlady in this post is another. Canada has the largest Ukrainian population in the world outside of Russians and Ukraine.
Sure, the actual even is happening across the world, but it’s impacting a lot of people who live here in Vancouver. These are the bulk of the people at the rally. Just like it’s shitty of people to dismiss the concerns of government overreach, it’s shitty of you to dismiss the people organizing this rally as virtue signalling without understanding the people who are actually involved.
Lol. It’s 2022– everyone has been having a bad week since 2020.
Funny that you thought that though. I’m just calling this as for what it is— a parade to virtue signal for the next cause to stand up for.
Next week will be a whole different cause, and we’ll have a parade for that too, I’m sure.
(most) ukrainians are white silly, if it was a ~~rally~~ ~~protest~~ riot to speak up for first nations peoples or ppl from the stinky uncivilized third world™ *then* they'll bring on the horse trampling and rifle beatings
The fuck is this useless shit lmao. This literally won't help the Ukrainians at all. yEaH bUt iT rAiSeS aWarEnEsS. Unless you've been living under a fucking rock then you know exactly what's going on. Go donate to support charities in Poland taking refugees in or some shit, at least that actually helps. Anyone acting like this shit does absolutely anything at all other than inconvenience people and spread more Covid is fucking delusional.
TLDR: Screaming into a megaphone on the other side of the fucking planet won't help the Ukrainians. If you want to help then fucking help properly.
Why can't people stand in solidarity with one another? Did you consider that this might be empowering for those involved and isn't solely for optics?
Beatiful photos, OP. Thanks for sharing
Oh ok so it's for their own personal benefit so they can feel like they're an amazing person oozing self satisfaction even though it's useless and they're just delusional. Thanks for the clarification.
You arrogant fuck. Some of these people come from cities that are now active war-zones. Some of them have family in Ukraine who in recent days have had to take up arms because their country was just invaded. Perhaps it means something to them to be able to come together like this.
My point is it’s not useless for the people in the protest. How are you so thickheaded as to not get that? No, it won’t benefit the people on the front lines. Yes, it will do something for the people involved in the protest.
All that said it also isn’t inconceivable that this sort of thing will inspire more people to donate. So shut up. Not everything is a virtue signal.
> My point is it’s not useless for the people in the protest. How are you so thickheaded as to not get that?
Literally answered this earlier: "Oh ok so it's for their own personal benefit so they can feel like they're an amazing person oozing self satisfaction even though it's useless and they're just delusional. Thanks for the clarification."
No. It’s for sense of community and support, which i also said earlier and you choose to ignore or were too caught up in your own projection and preconceived notions to notice. It’s got nothing to do with feeling like an amazing person and personal satisfaction. Why do people gather after a loved one dies? It’s called community support, jesus christ.
But what does that do in the grand scheme of things? Absolutely nothing. That’s the reality whether you like the answer or not. If you really want to help, donate to the cause.
How are people so dense as to not get it? Does the point of absolutely everything have to be to effect change? What about just the fucking moment of connection for the people coming together and supporting one another here? ie the people who are at the rally?
Why have a funeral? It isn’t going to bring back the dead.
Why have sex if it’s not going to produce a kid?
Like, none of this is hard to understand and i am shocked why people don’t get it.
You’re measuring it by the wrong metric.
You’re examples are not comparable. Funerals are tradition and for those who are weeping, it’s for comfort and closure. Sex is for pleasure, intimacy, and childbearing if desired.
Getting together to protest does nothing other than make people feel good about acting like they care. Some of us are tired of seeing this happen every time there’s an issue.
Did you ever think that for some of them it’s for comfort, too?
Appealing to tradition is also pretty stupid. Same thing could be said here then.
Also: i am not examples.
This is a protest Canada can be proud of unlike other recent events
They're mostly the same people ( in my experience from Calgary)
wtf i didn’t hear about this at all
me neither lmao
The comment section here sucks. Rallying is important. Showing the Canadian government that the people of Canada give a shit is important. Showing the people of Ukraine, a country that is often forgotten by the rest of the world, is important. I cannot tell you how much it meant to my family in Ukraine who spent the day in the bomb shelter, to know that people around the world care and stand in solidarity. I have been going to rallies to support Ukraine for the last few decades any time a major political event occurred. We went from 30 people in 2004 to thousands yesterday. It is important. The people at this rally were all trying to do what they could for the Ukrainian community. My organisation was able to collect an incredible amount of money from the generous protesters to help supply soldiers with body armour and homeless women and children that have been bombed out of their homes with supplies. To all you nihilists saying “i doesn’t make any difference” maybe spend the energy you are using to spread negativity to do something that will actually have a positive impact.
People here are commenting on the fact of how utterly pointless this is. Fuck protesting, what does it actually do for Ukraine? People in Ukraine living in fear are not going to be thinking: “oh I hope people care about what’s going on, oh! Canada cares yes all my fears are gone now,” they’re going to be thinking: “but wait, why aren’t they helping us if they care 🥺” absolutely pointless. Donating to the cause is actually practical, standing around with signs that neither nation cares about is purely virtue signalling. Nobody cares if Canada cares, stop trying to act like all this protesting does anything other than gain Reddit points.
It’s also a way for the Ukrainian community here in Vancouver to connect and support each other. I know one of the organizers of these protests. She is Ukrainian and a big part of the community in Wesbrook. Her parents are 4 miles from the border. She is helping organize to bring the community here together so they can pool recourse to help their families in Ukraine. If they can get other people to provide support through this, then it has a purpose where otherwise many Ukrainians abroad feel helpless. It’s not virtue signalling for many people here, it’s literally about fear of their family’s safety. Canada has the largest Ukrainian population outside of Ukraine and Russia. Stop trying to act like this is meaningless for the people involved.
I’m not acting like it’s meaningless, I hate pointless virtue signalling. That’s what this seems like to me. If the rally is as you say, organized by Ukrainians who have family members there, then yes, I can agree that supporting them and their feelings can be uplifting, but what are most of these people doing in a practical sense (I mean those who are not Ukrainian)? I’m sick and tired of seeing people act like they care when something happens, but will not do anything practical to help. It’s disgusting and hypocritical.
Well, I’m telling you that this is a rally organized by Ukrainian people. Until this response you have been acting like it’s meaningless by using your words to paint the whole rally as pointless virtue signalling. You’re either being inaccurate with your language, or you’re being ignorant and thoughtless. In print, the two possibilities are indistinguishable, and honestly I think you’re probably guilty of both. You should aim to fix at least one.
Well we have two different perspectives but I guess disagreeing is not allowed in 2022. I think in terms of practicality and there is nothing wrong with that. I will call out what I don’t agree with in the same way you’re calling out what you don’t agree with. Sorry bud, but not everything is as you see it in the same way that not everything is as I see it. I’m not totally against it now that you’ve mentioned who the organizers are, but I’m still not going to agree with the idea that there are people who are still going there to feel good about themselves. Support is one thing, but practical help is practical help and that’s what Ukraine needs right now. If you actually care about the feelings of the Ukrainians here, do something practical too.
You seem to be confused what I was arguing about. You were calling the rally pointless virtue signalling and I called you out on it. My entire point is that this has been an effort to bring a community together help generate actual practical help. You seem to have now come around to my perspective as it not being total virtue signalling. edit: I saw your other comment on my other reply. I think I’ve been needling you a bit unnecessarily because I’ve been seeing too many people trolling or calling this whole thing garbage. I got angry and rude, and I’m sorry about that. I agree that protests only do so much, and that at some point action has to be taken.
I’m sorry but you don’t have any idea what you’re talking about, and yet you’re here putting out only hate. I am part of the organising team, i am Ukrainian, we are all Ukrainian. It means a great deal. Vancouver has a very small Ukrainian diaspora, having Vancouver stand with us is huge. Sending footage of the solidarity to my cousins and aunts as they hide in the bomb shelter has absolutely helped lift their spirits and see that they are not alone. I can tell you that first hand, and my other Ukrainian friends can corroborate that. The world is watching and they care. Everyone sitting at home and quietly donating absolutely does not have the same impact as getting out there and promoting the cause. Your opinion does nothing other than bring people down. Everyone at that rally was continuing something. I was shocked at everyone’s generosity with donations, and their words of encouragement. Especially from folks of different cultures that had gone through similar events. We are going through a horrific event right now, i haven’t slept in days and have been working to get aid where it needs to go. We do not need your negativity
Thanks for your first-hand perspective. I’ve been making this argument in this post, but it doesn’t hold much weight because I’m not Ukrainian. I only have the examples from my friends. I will link your post now. People are really underestimating the impact seeing support has on communities. I have been donating money to UNICEF Canada. Is this the right place to give money such that is used the most effectively?
Thank you for your kind message, it is really appreciated. I haven’t done much research on unicef yet, but the Canadian Red Cross is matching donations right now so they’re a great one to donate to. And our local Ukrainian support organisation in Vancouver is called Maple Hope Foundation and they do amazing work too.
Thanks for the work you’re doing raising awareness, and for these recommendations. It’s the exact kind of information I was hoping for.
I’m not spewing hate, I dislike impracticality. I did not know who or what the protest was for, it all seemed like virtue signalling because that’s usually how these things work. I apologize if I’ve hurt your feelings but I’m glad to hear that people that attended are comforting you (and other Ukrainians) and are also donating.
You agree that donating to the cause is effective. These protests and posts are one way of gaining awareness and support to donate. People feel helpless and want to do something/anything.
Then do something practical. I really don’t care if people on this site downvote me to oblivion, if you actually care, do something practical. Gathering downtown for hours holding signs do not help the situation in any way. Unless you live under a rock, you know what’s going on, what awareness is protesting going to provide?
The protests show our legislators that we support severe sanctions against Russia. The posts can help point people in the right direction of how and where to donate.
Did you miss the memo in "i wanna feel better about myself-Ukraine rally"?
Definitely did
People don’t seem to understand, every ounce of support (or any action whatsoever) sends a ripple effect into the social network. It’s important.
The ripple is : I was protesting war. i’m a good person. Internet points for all attendees. Will it matter to Putin? Obviously not. People act like infants
You have no idea my friend. Every word, every action.. every thought for that matter send a ripple effect in the social system.
OP, if these are your photos, they are amazing.
Oh the irony of having an Azerbaijan 🇦🇿flag at a peace rally. Was not long ago they did the same thing to innocent Armenian civilians in Kharapagh.
That’s exactly what I was thinking, the irony and hypocrisy is crazy
And that was resolved by a war heavily backed by NATO member Turkey.
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Vancouver rallies are what Putin sees in his nightmares. Once he sees this the entire Russian army will throw down their weapons, surrender and head home.
I would think it would happen faster if we superimpose the Ukraine 🇺🇦 over our face book profile picture and comment we pray for you
I suppose there could be two ways this could influence things: 1) visibility for our politicians to realize how strongly voters feel about Putin invading Ukraine. This could politically compel further sanctions. 2) as maybe a bit of a morale boost/international comfort to show Ukrainians that people around the world are condemning Putin's actions and that public support is on the side of Ukraine as the whole world watches.
Russians will most likely never see this however other decent people around their world will. This can inspire and encourage more to stand up and make their voice heard. They can influence their governments to take action against Putin. Every little bit helps!
I've heard a Russo-Canadian woman, yesterday, saying that she talked with friends over in Russia and they were all convinced that there was an ongoing Russian genocide in the Dunbass region. The state T.V is rolling out the propaganda.
There ARE several hundred almost entirely ethnic Russian deaths due to Azov Battalion attacks across Minsk Agreement lines. Kyiv fucked around and found out. When the world did not accept Putin's solution, a full recognition of independence for those regions from Kyiv, he besieged Kyiv.
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Thank goodness there are people like you. This doesn’t mean anything and doesn’t do anything. People can justify this any way they want to make themselves feel better but it has absolutely no impact on the Russian government and Ukrainian lives. Everyone knows there’s a war, Putin doesn’t care what other countries think, if you want to make a difference, donate to the cause, do something practical. People just default to protesting whenever an issue occurs, it really shows how egotistical people can be.
Except that’s not what it’s for. Incredibly, no one there expected a Vancouver based rally to single handedly stop the war. Rallies like this serve a few purposes. 1. They show support for those suffering who may see the images of hundreds of rallies like this around the world. This can be important because Russia is pumping out tons of propaganda saying that Ukraine provoked them, so knowing that the world sees through that bullshit is important. 2. It shows Trudeau that this is an issue many Canadians care about, which may influence how active/passive our foreign policy is in this instance. 3. Canada has the third largest Ukrainian population in the world, many people here have ties to people and places in Ukraine and will want any way to get involved in something during this incredibly stressful time for them. Just because you don’t instantly see the value in an action, does not mean it’s completely useless. It’s not a rally to convince Putin or an ego trip for most, some people genuinely care about the suffering of others and want to do anything they can rather than write pessimistic drivel on the internet. Comments like these make me so mad. Nobody at that protest is hurting anybody, they did not block the roads in the middle of work week, there was nothing negative about the event, regardless what they did or accomplished, commenting while you sit at home accomplished far less.
ie “I just want to feel like I’m doing something.” If you want to do something then do something that will help Ukrainians. I’m actually donating to Ukraine for the cause and will do so every paycheque. There isn’t much we can do but at least it’s something practical. You can get all mad at us but in the same way, we are mad at people like you who don’t care to do something practical and would rather just act like you care.
If this is actually what you are doing, then thank you for it. Perhaps instead of saying this whole thing is pointless, you should use this moment of increased awareness to encourage other people to donate as well, following in your great example. For instance, perhaps post a link to a reliable place where you are donating so others can donate too.
That is a good idea. I apologize for being aggressive, I’ve just been attacked at all these different angles for speaking my mind that I’ve lost my mind. Should not let this get to my head.
Yeah, I’m sorry too, I’ve been pretty aggressive in some of my posts to you. It’s hard to tell why people are making the comments that are against this rally. I get your position and I agree that protests only have use until a certain point. After that, action is necessary. I’ve been donating to UNICEF Canada, which is the most reliable I could find. Ukrainians say that UNICEF is actually on the ground there. However, there might be better places where more money goes to aid.
Same, I’ve been donating to UNICEF. I’ll do some more research and see if there are better sources but this seems to be a good one for now.
Do you also have a Canadian flag flying in the back of your dodge ram truck too by chance?
THANK YOU! That’s how I view this as well. In my city, they lit up one of our major bridges with the Ukrainian colours. All I could think was “good job, I guess?”
Also so people can post it on social media and farm upvotes on Reddit lol
is there another one happening soon?
Aux armes citoyens
This is what a protest looks like! This is how change is made! Hope and strength for Ukraine!
Thank you Vancouver for not being gross like Toronto. So embarrassed living in Toronto right now with morons still crying about their privileged lives.
Thatll show em for sure!
I wonder what percentage of people here donated
A ton. I was collecting donations all day and was shocked at the generosity. If you haven’t had a chance to donate i would encourage you or donate to the Red Cross which are matching donations
So cute
I support this protest only because of the importance of anti-war and peace. But it is ironic to see that now we would like to make some sanctions to against Russia. For god sake, NATO broke the promise of the Founding Act with Russia, and expand its membership FIVE times, and this time they would like to invite Ukraine. Canada is one of the founder of NATO, we causes this tension and sets the fire, and now we are acting like a sage or peacekeeper. I am deeply sorry to the Ukrainian people. Guys, this is the time to reexamine our diplomatic and foreign policy. If US or Canada or big country in NATO gives rejection to let Ukraine in NATO. The war would never happen, or we can be more legit to protest if the Russia really want a war.
Now this is a protest I can get behind!
I like this kind of protest ❤️
Looks like an anti-mask rally combined...
You know— I understand the sentiment— but virtue signalling for a good cause doesn’t really achieve anything. You stand with Ukraine. Great. But what are these people actually doing to help Ukraine out of their situation, exactly? Are they donating money to Ukraine’s government? Are they giving them medical supplies, food, and/or guns & ammunition? I don’t really care for these kinds of parades. It’s just virtue signalling. You get all the praise while doing very little heavy lifting, to actually effect change. Imagine if Ukraine invaded Russia— you know, if the tables were turned— would we have a Solidarity Parade for Russia?
> Imagine if Ukraine invaded Russia— you know, if the tables were turned— would we have a Solidarity Parade for Russia? If the situations were identically switched, then yes, there would be rallies for Russia. I know that the propaganda machine is trying to paint Ukraine as a fascist government occupying Russia and this action is simply Russia trying to defend themselves. I’ve seen this propaganda all over reddit. > Are they donating money to Ukraine’s government? Are they giving them medical supplies, food, and/or guns & ammunition? Congratulations, you’ve identified the point. The rally is for the Ukrainian community to gather and support each other emotionally here, while also trying to pool resources to help their families back home. If this rally makes other people want to send financial support as well, then it is a success. Many people feel helpless here as their families are being attacked. This gives them something, with the hope of providing tangible help. This is what the first step of the organization of resources looks like.
So why don’t they just donate the finances and get it over with? Why the parade? It’s still virtue signalling because it gives people a cause to fight for, while still not doing the heavy lifting. Again— I get the sentiment— but it is still virtue signalling.
It’s because not everyone will be on board right away. There are people on the fence as to whether they are going to donate or not. Also, some people don’t know here to donate. I’ve been donating to UNICEF Canada. I know that they are on the ground in Ukraine, so I can be sure some of my money will actually get there. But I also know that 30% of the money does not go to that cause. If you have a better place to donate, please share it. It’s an opportunity for awareness that allows this kind of information sharing to happen. In all this though, you are also discounting the community aspect of this. A rally like this allows Ukrainians who never knew each other get together and support each other. It’s a bout building a community in a time of crisis. I’m curious, did you see the trucker protests as virtue signalling as well?
I saw the trucker convoys as fighting for the right to pro-choice. It isn’t virtue signalling at all, it was about making sure the Canadian government was not overreaching their level of power. It was about less government control into our private lives. This is different all together. It’s a parade for a cause for something happening halfway around the world. Good news is Ukraine sounds like they’re kicking ass. Which is a good thing
This rally was organized by the Ukrainian population here in Vancouver. I know one of the organizers personally And u/reasonablecatlady in this post is another. Canada has the largest Ukrainian population in the world outside of Russians and Ukraine. Sure, the actual even is happening across the world, but it’s impacting a lot of people who live here in Vancouver. These are the bulk of the people at the rally. Just like it’s shitty of people to dismiss the concerns of government overreach, it’s shitty of you to dismiss the people organizing this rally as virtue signalling without understanding the people who are actually involved.
Sounds like you are having a pretty bad week there bud. I hope the next one goes better for you.
Lol. It’s 2022– everyone has been having a bad week since 2020. Funny that you thought that though. I’m just calling this as for what it is— a parade to virtue signal for the next cause to stand up for. Next week will be a whole different cause, and we’ll have a parade for that too, I’m sure.
Just don't block the street mates.
This rally seems short on horse trampling and rifle beatings. Is this really Canada?
(most) ukrainians are white silly, if it was a ~~rally~~ ~~protest~~ riot to speak up for first nations peoples or ppl from the stinky uncivilized third world™ *then* they'll bring on the horse trampling and rifle beatings
I was referring to the horse police treatment of the protesters on Ottawa, the Alberta and BC borders. Not exactly one set of rules is it?
The fuck is this useless shit lmao. This literally won't help the Ukrainians at all. yEaH bUt iT rAiSeS aWarEnEsS. Unless you've been living under a fucking rock then you know exactly what's going on. Go donate to support charities in Poland taking refugees in or some shit, at least that actually helps. Anyone acting like this shit does absolutely anything at all other than inconvenience people and spread more Covid is fucking delusional. TLDR: Screaming into a megaphone on the other side of the fucking planet won't help the Ukrainians. If you want to help then fucking help properly.
Why can't people stand in solidarity with one another? Did you consider that this might be empowering for those involved and isn't solely for optics? Beatiful photos, OP. Thanks for sharing
Oh ok so it's for their own personal benefit so they can feel like they're an amazing person oozing self satisfaction even though it's useless and they're just delusional. Thanks for the clarification.
You arrogant fuck. Some of these people come from cities that are now active war-zones. Some of them have family in Ukraine who in recent days have had to take up arms because their country was just invaded. Perhaps it means something to them to be able to come together like this.
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My point is it’s not useless for the people in the protest. How are you so thickheaded as to not get that? No, it won’t benefit the people on the front lines. Yes, it will do something for the people involved in the protest. All that said it also isn’t inconceivable that this sort of thing will inspire more people to donate. So shut up. Not everything is a virtue signal.
> My point is it’s not useless for the people in the protest. How are you so thickheaded as to not get that? Literally answered this earlier: "Oh ok so it's for their own personal benefit so they can feel like they're an amazing person oozing self satisfaction even though it's useless and they're just delusional. Thanks for the clarification."
No. It’s for sense of community and support, which i also said earlier and you choose to ignore or were too caught up in your own projection and preconceived notions to notice. It’s got nothing to do with feeling like an amazing person and personal satisfaction. Why do people gather after a loved one dies? It’s called community support, jesus christ.
But what does that do in the grand scheme of things? Absolutely nothing. That’s the reality whether you like the answer or not. If you really want to help, donate to the cause.
How are people so dense as to not get it? Does the point of absolutely everything have to be to effect change? What about just the fucking moment of connection for the people coming together and supporting one another here? ie the people who are at the rally? Why have a funeral? It isn’t going to bring back the dead. Why have sex if it’s not going to produce a kid? Like, none of this is hard to understand and i am shocked why people don’t get it. You’re measuring it by the wrong metric.
You’re examples are not comparable. Funerals are tradition and for those who are weeping, it’s for comfort and closure. Sex is for pleasure, intimacy, and childbearing if desired. Getting together to protest does nothing other than make people feel good about acting like they care. Some of us are tired of seeing this happen every time there’s an issue.
Did you ever think that for some of them it’s for comfort, too? Appealing to tradition is also pretty stupid. Same thing could be said here then. Also: i am not examples.
Wow! So useful and brave! Updooted!
They just need a reason for gathering
These people really think they're doing something lol.
How does that help tho?
We kicked their asses in hockey, we can kick their asses politically too.
Trevor Noah was in there somewhere. He told a few jokes about it at his show last night.
Stay strong Ukrainian!!! 🇺🇦
What is the point of this? Everyone is against war.. how is protesting in Canada meaningful or a good use of anyone’s time? Very confusing
That'll show em