Russian-born Fort Worth resident Alyssa Honer and her daughters showed support for Ukraine at the “Stop Putin, Save Ukraine” gathering in downtown Fort Worth on March 4. 

“We were very shocked. We want the world to know that we don’t want this war,” Honer said. “We want peace.”

Honer’s parents were born in Ukraine and she has relatives there — the family worked in the automobile production industry in Tolyatti, Russia. 

“I am not ashamed of being Russian because our countries have always been connected,” she said. 

The evening opened with a gathering at Sundance Square, followed by a performance of the Ukrainian and U.S. national anthems by the Veselka Ukrainian Folk Singers of Dallas. Shortly after, singer Ludmila Kasyanenko took the stage.

Organizer Natialiia Hays has hosted gatherings in Plano, Dallas and outside the Tarrant County Courthouse. Hays was born and raised in Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine.

“My mom is here. She came here on Jan. 5 and was supposed to leave March 20, but nobody expected this,” Hays said.

Organizers will hold a rally to show support for Ukraine in Southlake on March 13. A Ukrainian store in Dallas, Ukie Style Embroidery Art on 2817 Preston Road, will donate all sale proceeds to Ukraine indefinitely.

“We need to be more about love, less about hate,” Honer said.

Cristian ArguetaSoto is the community engagement journalist at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him by email or via Twitter. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

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‘Be more about love, less about hate’: Gatherers show support for Ukraine at Sundance Square

by Cristian ArguetaSoto, Fort Worth Report
March 6, 2022

<h1>‘Be more about love, less about hate’: Gatherers show support for Ukraine at Sundance Square</h1> <p class="byline">by Cristian ArguetaSoto, Fort Worth Report <br />March 6, 2022</p> <p>Russian-born Fort Worth resident Alyssa Honer and her daughters showed support for Ukraine at the “Stop Putin, Save Ukraine” gathering in downtown Fort Worth on March 4.&nbsp;</p> <p>“We were very shocked. We want the world to know that we don’t want this war,” Honer said. “We want peace.”</p> <p>Honer’s parents were born in Ukraine and she has relatives there — the family worked in the automobile production industry in Tolyatti, Russia.&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34575" data-id="34575" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-1-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Ukrainian Nataliia Partala holds a "Peace 4 Ukraine" sign at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34576" data-id="34576" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-2-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A family holds signs in support of Ukraine on March 4. From left to right: Alyssa Honer, Elizabeth Honer, Ana St John, Katerina Honer, Bella St John. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34577" data-id="34577" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-3-683x1024.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Couple Cathy Clark and Cary Clark show support for Ukraine at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34578" data-id="34578" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-6-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Ana St John holds a sign that reads: "This war is not Russia, it's Putin's! Justice 4 Ukraine." St John and her family have Ukrainian and Russian relatives. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34579" data-id="34579" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-7-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Organizer Nataliia Hays, right, and her mother Nataliia Partala, left, wait for gatherers to arrive at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34580" data-id="34580" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-8-683x1024.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Allen resident Olga Shchedrina holds a sign that reads "Pray for Ukraine." Shchedrina has family stranded in Kyiv. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34581" data-id="34581" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-9-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Veselka Ukrainian Folk Singers of Dallas performs a song at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34582" data-id="34582" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-10-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Veselka Ukrainian Folk Singers of Dallas performs traditional Ukrainian songs at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34583" data-id="34583" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-11-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A family listens to Ukrainian music at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34584" data-id="34584" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-13-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">James Durham, left, and Alina Durham, right, show support for Ukraine at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34585" data-id="34585" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-14-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A participant records a video at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34586" data-id="34586" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-15-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Ukrainian singer Ludmila Kasyanenko performs at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34587" data-id="34587" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-16-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A listener gets emotional at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34588" data-id="34588" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-17-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Ukrainian singer Ludmila Kasyanenko sings at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34589" data-id="34589" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-18-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Gatherers join Ukrainian singer Ludmila Kasyanenko on stage at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34590" data-id="34590" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-19-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A "Peace 4 Ukraine" sign is left at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-34593" data-id="34593" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CAS_SaveUkraine-22-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Participant Galyna Danesova holds a sign at the "Stop Putin, Save Ukraine" gathering on March 4. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div> </div> </div> <p>“I am not ashamed of being Russian because our countries have always been connected,” she said.&nbsp;</p> <p>The evening opened with a gathering at Sundance Square, followed by a performance of the Ukrainian and U.S. national anthems by the <a href="https://ukrainianclub.org/ukrainian-programs-in-dfw/#:~:text=Veselka%20Ukrainian%20Folk%20Singers%20of,language%20through%20Ukrainian%20folk%20songs." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Veselka Ukrainian Folk Singers of Dallas</a>. Shortly after, singer <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ludmila.kasyanenko.5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ludmila Kasyanenko</a> took the stage.</p> <p>Organizer Natialiia Hays has hosted gatherings in Plano, Dallas and outside the Tarrant County Courthouse. Hays was born and raised in Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine.</p> <p>“My mom is here. She came here on Jan. 5 and was supposed to leave March 20, but nobody expected this,” Hays said.</p> <p>Organizers will hold a rally to show support for Ukraine in Southlake on March 13. A Ukrainian store in Dallas, <a href="https://www.ukiestyle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ukie Style Embroidery Art</a> on 2817 Preston Road, will donate all sale proceeds to Ukraine indefinitely.</p> <p>“We need to be more about love, less about hate,” Honer said.</p> <p><em>Cristian ArguetaSoto is the community engagement journalist at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him by </em><a href="http://cristian.arguetasoto@fortworthreport.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>email</em></a><em> or via </em><a href="https://twitter.com/CrisArguetaSoto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Twitter</em></a><em>. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy </em><a href="https://fortworthreport.org/about/fort-worth-report-editorial-independence-policy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>here</em></a><em>.</em></p> <p>This <a target="_blank" href="https://fortworthreport.org/2022/03/06/be-more-about-love-less-about-hate-gatherers-show-support-for-ukraine-at-sundance-square/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://fortworthreport.org">Fort Worth Report</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cropped-favicon.png?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://fortworthreport.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=34571&ga=UA-194640723-1" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p> Copy to Clipboard

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