March 19,  2022

Dear Mr. John Tory, 

We, Canadian citizens of Ukrainian descent and not only, became aware of the event planned by the Russian community of Toronto on May 8, 2022. the link https://www.facebook.com/events/589281308246832?active_tab=about

Our fears and concerns can be summarized as such:

• This event is stoking Russian nationalism during a time of brutal Russian aggression against Ukraine
• The symbols associated with the event are symbols of Kremlin propaganda and Russian aggression. 

We request that the Toronto police enforces a ban on the following symbols of Russian aggression in Ukraine from this upcoming event:

• Russian flags
• The St George’s ribbon
• The USSR flag
• The hammer and sickle

History of the Event

This event, called Immortal Regiment, was first held in Russia in 2012 as a way to commemorate people who fought and lost their lives in WWII. Unfortunately, this grass-roots initiative was quickly appropriated by the Russian state propaganda to glorify the strength of the Russian military.  

Stoking of Russian Nationalism

In the event description one can read  the following: “We see how the latest events united us and the people feel unprecedented unity. We are proud that Russia is rising and the people of Russia began to be proud of their past and present, that the people look with optimism into their future. Russia advocates for peace and cooperation in the world. Russia and Canada should develop their ties and build relations. Russia is not the enemy of Canada. The majority of Canadians are for normalizing  the relations between the two countries. When we are together and united, we become an influential electoral force”. 

The pride in Russia “rising” and “unifying” at a time of unprecedented Russian aggression should be seen as dangerous and aggressive towards the Ukrainian community and as contradicting the values of the civilized world. 

 

Below is the quote of  the original in Russian: 

“Мы видим как последние события нас сблизили и люди чувствуют небывалое объединение. Мы гордимся тем, что Россия поднимается и народ России стал гордиться своим прошлым и настоящим и смотрит с оптимизмом в свое будущее. Россия выступает за мир и сотрудничество во всем мире. Россия и Канада должны развивать свои связи и строить отношения. Россия-не враг Канаде. Большинство канадцев за нормализацию отношений между двумя странами. Когда мы вместе и едины, мы становимся влиятельной избирательной силой. “

Use of Russian-Supremacist Symbols

The St George ribbon symbol is being used by Russian propaganda to signal support for the invasion of Ukraine. During  the Russian annexation of Crimea and occupation of Donbas in 2014, one of the key symbols of the upcoming event, St. George’s ribbon, was widely used by the Russians and Russia-backed forces. This continues to be the case in the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine. Please see the photos of Russian invaders in Ukraine wearing St. George’s ribbon on their uniform in the russian media.

https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/13902905​

https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/2022/03/01/14587513.shtml 

Here you can see how the ribbon symbol is used by Russian propaganda  for the ”Z“ sign marked on Russian tanks and armored vehicles sent to Ukraine. It is done to brainwash the population to support the war in Ukraine. https://sarnovosti.ru/news/engelsskaya-shkola-patriot-provela-aktsiyu-za-mir-/​

https://www.chita.ru/news/172856/​

https://www.svoboda.org/a/z-kak-rodilsya-simvol-rossiyskogo-vtorzheniya-v-ukrainu/31754867.html

A Traumatic Event for All Ukrainians

Every year since the annexation of Crimea (2014), a demonstration by the Russian community has been seen as threatening by Ukrainians. This year however, given the full-scale invasion and war crimes being committed in Russia’s name, the Ukrainian community cannot allow this event to continue as it has. It is simply too traumatic, painful, and dangerous. This event is no longer about the sacrifices of Soviet people during World War II. It is now a breeding ground for Russian nationalism and cannot be allowed to continue. 

Possible Foreign Interference

We appeal to the appropriate Canadian authorities to invite the organizers of this event for an interview to clarify what they mean by phrases like“ the latest events united us…”, “we are proud that Russia is rising…”, “Russia advocates for peace and cooperation...”? In light of the brutal Russian aggression against Ukraine, the above rhetoric sounds like obvious kremlin propaganda and disinformation. This sort of organizing in North America is a familiar pattern in Russia’s playbook and should be taken seriously as a possible national security threat.

Conclusion

We STRONGLY URGE the Toronto city authorities to ban these symbols from the upcoming event, as the  most horrific crimes against humanity are now committed under these symbols in Ukraine. As Canada wholeheartedly supports Ukraine in its fight for independence, to allow those symbols stained in the blood of Ukrainians, including children, would be morally and ethically wrong.