Nashville residents are gathering to show their support for the Ukraine this week, after Russia recently invaded the country to expand its power.
Vanderbilt University freshman Diana Nalyvaiko is helping to organize a march Wednesday. Protestors will meet on Vanderbilt’s campus at Alumni Lawn at 5 p.m. before ending at Dragon Park.
The city of Nashville is planning its own day of prayer on Thursday at 8 a.m. in front of the Historic Metro Courthouse downtown.
Nalyvaiko says her family is in danger in the northern part of Ukraine as her dad fights in the war.
“It will be terrible for me to see that I don’t have a home anymore. And I don’t have any place to return,” she explains.
This is the second march Nalyvaiko and two other students have planned for this week. They’re trying to push the school to be bold in opposing Russia in hopes that it will catch politicians’ attention.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with all those affected as we watch this terrible and heartbreaking situation in Ukraine unfold,” Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said on Feb. 25 in a written statement. “Vanderbilt stands in support of all members of our university community impacted by these events, especially those with connections to the region, and we have reached out to those groups individually.”
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