Oxford Coalition for Social Justice Calling for End to Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Now Playing

Wednesday, 2 March 2022 10:07

The Chair of the Oxford Coalition for Social Justice has sent letters to the four main party leaders in Ottawa and the Russian Ambassador to Canada, calling for an end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

OXFORD COUNTY - The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice has sent letters to the four main party leaders in Ottawa, demanding they do something about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Coalition would like Russia to withdraw it's forces from Ukraine, withdraw it's support of proxies in Ukrainian territory, respect the boundaries of the Ukraine and pay for damages caused by the invasion.

Chair Bryan Smith sent the letters earlier this week and he's not expecting responses anytime soon.

"I will quite frankly forgive the leaders of the parties for not responding to my letter, if they can respond effectively to the challenges to lives and livelihoods in the Ukraine in the meantime and get back to me when we do have peace."

Smith also sent a letter to the Russian Ambassador to Canada, Oleg V.Stepanov, with the same demands.

We may be on the other side of the world, but Smith says there are a few things that people living in Oxford County can do to help support people living in Ukraine.

"They could engage in symbolic support and I see lots of that happening by lots of organizations. The fact that the Ukrainian anthem was sung at a Canadian hockey game last night is a form of symbolic support. I'm also aware that our government is matching donations given to the Red Cross and there are other agencies like the U.N. who are taking humanitarian supplies into the Ukraine."

You can donate to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal through the Canadian Red Cross online here.

If you know someone living in Ukraine, Smith says you can also reach out to them. All Canadian telecom companies have waived the long-distance fees for calls to Ukraine.

You can read a copy of the letter Smith sent to the party leaders below.

The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice has long advocated for peace. Without it, there is no justice.

The current and continuing invasion of Ukrainian territory by forces under the control of Vladimir Putin of Russia must cease. Human lives have been lost, and human suffering from war is enduring. Scenes of war also show the disruption of services needed to ensure quality of life, and damage to the environment.

The government of Canada has spoken over the past years of the rule of law within its borders and internationally. It is clear: International law is being broken by this invasion. The Oxford Coalition calls on the government to Canada to urge Russia to

· Withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory

· Withdraw its support of proxies in Ukrainian territory

· Respect the boundaries of Ukraine as of 1991

· Respect the right of self-determination of Ukrainians within their territory

· Pay compensation to Ukraine to allow the restoration of public and private property damaged by the actions of Russians and their proxies

· Formally recognize the sovereignty of Ukraine.