Since 2024, Liliia Ratushna has spent part of every single weekend at high visibility locations around Vancouver, holding a sign about Ukraine, raising money for Ukrainian defenders, and reminding Canadians that the war isn’t over and Ukraine is still fighting for its freedom. These weekly rallies are organized by UA Rally, whose abiding mission is to draw attention to russia’s war in Ukraine. In short, the point of these weekly rallies is to be seen – and what better way to do that than to literally put yourself in front of people and command their attention with signs, facts, and conversation? In this moving and fascinating conversation with Sabrina Rani Furminger, Liliia reflects on life as a displaced Ukrainian in Canada, her relationship with the diaspora community, how her volunteerism impacts her grief, why it’s important to be seen, and why she sets aside time each week to stand outside and raise awareness about Ukraine.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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