Marta Kozbur, a River Forest resident at art teacher at Lincoln Elementary, speaks to attendees on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
After River Forest residents showed solidarity with Ukraine at a rally outside village hall, March 9, village officials added their stamp of approval by approving a resolution supporting an independent and democratic Ukraine at the March 14 village board meeting.
The March 9 rally, which was attended by approximately 40 people, included raising the Ukrainian flag on the flagpole outside village hall.
Although demonstrations and rallies have been held in Chicago since Russia began a military invasion of Ukraine Feb. 24, the actions in River Forest are one of the few taking place in the suburbs.
Village President Cathy Adduci credited residents Mindy Credi, Marta Kozbur and Anna Cook for putting together the rally. Kozbur and Cook are Ukranians.
“Mindy Credi asked my opinion and I said, ‘Of course.’” Adduci said. “The three of them brought it all together.”
Adduci was joined as a speaker at the rally by Kozbur, whom she described as “very eloquent.”
On March 14, Trustees Erika Bachner, Katie Brennan, Lisa Gillis and Respicio Vazquez joined Adduci in expressing their support for the resolution, approved unanimously, and the impact the rally had on them.
Anna Cook, center, stands with residents and community leaders gather near the flag pole and sing the Ukrainian national anthem as the flag is raised on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
Residents gather around and wear blue and yellow in support of Ukraine on Wednesday, March 9, outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
Marta Kozbur, a River Forest resident and an art teacher at Lincoln Elementary, speaks to attendees on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
Cathy Adduci, village president, listens to residents speak on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest, Ill. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Community members gather around together and listen to speakers talk about their Ukrainian families on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
Attendees hold up signs donated by Personalization House in Oak Park while listening to speakers on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
Attendees gather around the flag pole on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
The River Forest fire department raises the Ukrainian flag on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
Cathy Adduci, the village president, introduces Ukrainian community members on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
Attendees gather around on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
Marta Kozbur, a River Forest resident at art teacher at Lincoln Elementary, speaks to attendees on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
Attendees gather around on Wednesday, March 9, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest. | Alex Rogals
“Our hearts and minds are with the people of Ukraine,” Brennan said.
Bachner, Gillis and Vazquez said they were “moved” by the rally, with Vazquez adding, “My heart goes out to the Ukrainians here and in the village,” and Gillis noting, “We have many people in town who are Ukrainian.”
Gillis and Vazquez encouraged residents to place yard signs reading, “We stand with Ukraine,” on their lawns. The signs, donated by Personalization House in Oak Park, are available at village hall, 400 Park Ave.
The Ukrainian flag will fly in front of village hall until April 9. Adduci noted this is the first time the flag of a country other than the United States has flown on the village hall flagpole.
The resolution refers to “this unjustified invasion” and its “dangerous disregard for international law” while noting the refugee crisis it has caused. “The village of River Forest stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine in their fight against Russian oppression, aggression and annexation,” it states.
