Ukrainian Student Advocacy

The Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK) calls on members of the community to CALL OUT CANADA AND SUPPORT UKRAINE~

We encourage all Ukrainians, Canadians, and Ukrainian Canadians living in Canada to support SUSK’s Russian Aggression Campaign by sending a letter to their local MP. A sample letter can be found below.

To find your local MP/MLA click this link: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/search

[DATE]

SUBJECT LINE: We Demand That You Stand With Ukraine

Dear [INSERT YOUR MP’S NAME HERE — https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en] 

RE: We Demand That You Stand With Ukraine

I am writing to you on behalf of Ukrainian Canadians, Ukrainians, and humanity. We must do everything we can to stop Russia’s attacks in Ukraine. I am terrified for my family and friends who are hiding in bomb shelters. Who are fleeing their capital city because of Russian invasion, or into neighbouring countries. After only one day of the invasion, there have already been 100,000 displaced people. How many more need to leave their homes, hide in subway stations or be run over by a military tank before we intervene? 

On February 24, world history changed. There is a before February 24, 2022 and an after February 24, 2022. A Europe whole, free and at peace ended with Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities. Democratic countries must rally to Ukraine’s cause and do so immediately.

Russia is targeting civilians with bombing, rocket strikes and air attacks. Kyiv, the capital city, came under heavy fire from the air overnight on February 25. Russia’s president Putin and members of his regime are war criminals. Russia needs to be fully isolated from the international community immediately.

We have the following demands that ought to be implemented in order to gain peace in Ukraine, Europe and the world:

1. 1. 1. A no-fly zone needs to be implemented over Ukrainian territory. Ukraine’s allies need to help Ukraine secure its airspace.
      2. Ukraine needs more humanitarian aid weapons with which to defend itself right now. Most importantly they need anti-air systems like Stinger missiles and other air defence and naval defence systems, anti-tank weapons and ammunition.
      3. We demand stronger sanctions on Russia. It is evident that the previously imposed sanctions have done little to affect Russia’s invasion. 
      4. A full embargo on trade with Russia needs to be imposed. Russian assets and the assets of Russian oligarchs in the west need to be frozen. We echo many Ukrainians’ and notably we demand that Canada supports other countries in shutting off Russia’s banks from the SWIFT International Payments System
      5. As a NATO member, we also demand that Canada do everything within its capacities to urge the Alliance to intervene in Ukraine. 

 We are at a crucial moment to change the course of history, to save thousands, even millions of lives. The world has been clear, we stand with Ukraine. Why can’t our governments and international institutions represent our demands — as per principles of democracy. I don’t want to turn on the news or open my social media to more bombs, tanks and deaths in my country. This is the first time since the Second World War that a country in Europe has attacked another, let alone invade its capital city. The world is looking at our governments to ensure that the atrocities of global history are not repeated. 

We demand that you stand with Ukraine. And yes, this entails more than a Tweet.

[INSERT YOUR NAME HERE]