On Saturday, a rally drew crowds from across Santa Clarita to Bridgeport Park to express their support and raise funds for the Ukrainian people in the wake of the Russian invasion. 

The rally, which was announced two weeks ago by organizers, began at 3 p.m. Saturday in Valencia and hosted a variety of guest speakers who took the stage, adorned with the United States, California and Ukrainian flags.

Event organizer Eddy Perez addressed the crowd first to express the need to show support.

“The truth is that criminal Vladmir Putin attacked Ukraine while destroying apartment buildings, hospitals, and schools,” Perez said. “Putin has brought financial ruin to Ukrainian and Russian citizens.”

The event urged the crowd to donate what they could to the Ukrainian people, citing that all the money donated here would go directly to hospitals in Ukraine for the children and families affected. 

“This event is especially organized for the children, the most innocent in all of this,” Perez said. “Let’s forget the politics, the sentiments and instead channel these thoughts into making a difference.”

Several Santa Clarita organizations were thanked for their support in putting together the event, as the event was not a city-sponsored event but rather a community effort. 

Councilmember Bill Miranda and Assemblywoman Suzette Valladares were in attendance and both spoke to the crowd. 

“We’re rallying like they’re rallying all over the world in support of Ukraine,” said Miranda. “We in Santa Clarita are a city of people who care.” 

Miranda went on to urge people to donate what they could for the humanitarian effort and to “stand up for freedom.”

Assemblywoman Valladares echoed similar sentiments in her speech, prompting people to support legislation to divest in Russia. 

“We live under the greatest blanket of democracy on Earth and Ukraine people deserve the same,” said Valladares. 

She also shared how her office had helped a refugee be reunited with her sister in the U.S.

“Last week my office received a phone call from a constigute whose sister was fleeing Ukraine and forgot her visa,” Valladares said. “The sister reached out to my office and we were able to work with Congressman Garcia to get her her visa number by the time she landed.” 

The Ukrainian and U.S. national anthem were sung by the band who continued to perform until the event ended at 5 p.m. After the presentation, people were welcome to visit the booths set up with donation information and get their face painted by volunteers. 

To donate to the Ukrainian humanitarian effort, click here.

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