From Warsaw to New York, Ukrainians to form human chains on Independence Day
Ukrainian communities scattered abroad by Russia's invasion plan to revive the human-chain tradition from Ukraine's independence movement on Independence Day. Events are planned in several cities, including Warsaw and New York.
Ukrainian diaspora communities in cities around the world are preparing to mark Independence Day by reviving a symbolic act drawn from the history of Ukraine's independence movement — forming human chains. The events are planned in locations including Warsaw and New York, bringing together communities that Russia's invasion has scattered across different countries.
The human chain has historically been one of the most visible forms of peaceful solidarity associated with Ukraine's independence movement. Diaspora communities are choosing to revive this symbol now as a way of reminding the international community of Ukraine's ongoing struggle against Russian aggression and of keeping the country visible abroad.
Coordinated action across countries
The chains are being organized simultaneously in multiple parts of the world, allowing Ukrainians living far from home because of the war to express collective solidarity on a single day. The scale and geographic spread of the planned events underline how widely Russia's invasion has dispersed Ukrainian communities across the globe.
Through this initiative, the diaspora aims to keep Ukraine's situation from fading out of international attention, drawing a symbolic line between the historic fight for independence and the country's present resistance.
