'Scared every day': Montrealers march for end to violence in Ukraine, many call for no-fly zone
Maryna Krejcarova says she hasn’t been able to sleep since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly a month ago.
"We are scared every day," she said. "We are waking up checking the news from Ukraine. I can’t tell you they’re fine because they’re not."
Krejcarova, who is part of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, marched through the streets of Montreal with hundreds of other demonstrators Saturday.
The demonstration began with recordings of air raid sirens. Many of those there called for peace in the region and echoed calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for allied leaders to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
"Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into the source of death for thousands of people," said Zelenskyy, appearing before the United States congress by video conference on March 17. "I call on you to do more."
"We need you right now,” he added. “The destiny of our country is being decided."
READ MORE: Zelensky invokes Sept. 11 terror attacks in appeal to U.S. Congress
Hundreds of Montrealers gathered in downtown Montreal calling for an end to violence in Ukraine and for world leaders to enforce a no-fly zone in the country's airspace on March 19, 2022. (Angela MacKenzie, CTV News)
Hundreds of Montrealers gathered in downtown Montreal calling for an end to violence in Ukraine and for world leaders to enforce a no-fly zone in the country's airspace on March 19, 2022. (Angela MacKenzie, CTV News)
U.S. President Joe Biden, who said he listened to Zelensky's speech at the White House, did not directly respond to the criticism that the U.S. should be doing more for the Ukrainians. But said the country is "united in our abhorrence of Putin's depraved onslaught, and we're going to continue to have their backs as they fight for their freedom, their democracy, their very survival."
A no-fly zone is "absolutely vital," according to Ukrainian Canadian Congress Executive Council Member Michael Shwec. “The only planes that are flying over Ukraine right now are Russian planes that are bombing the country."
On March 22, a free benefit concert will take place at Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica. The Korwin-Szymanowski foundation, which organized that event, will accept donations in support of humanitarian work at the Polish-Ukrainian border.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has also been collecting first-aid materials to ship overseas to aid civilians.
-- For more details on the demonstration, watch CTV News’'Angela MacKenzie’s report above. This article was published with files from The Associated Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.