Rochester cranking up its support for Ukraine

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Demonstrators came together downtown at the Federal Building and marched to city hall Saturday afternoon to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.

Many families were out this afternoon holding signs and Ukrainian flags.

The event was put on by ROC Maidan, a local Ukrainian group. Everyone that showed up was holding a Ukraine flag or a sign.

A lot of people News10NBC spoke to before the group started marching to city hall, was that all they want is peace. Organizers say this rally is to create awareness about what their country is going through.

One man tells News10NBC he is worried about his family still in Ukraine and has a message for Russian President Vladimir Putin

"We’re fighting for freedom. You know they say they’re going to fight…we won’t give our freedom and it’s very sad," said Liubomyr Baran, who moved to the U.S. in 2015. "I want him to stop. People are dying from both sides. We don’t want anyone to die. We won’t give you our country. We want to make decisions."

A prayer service is underway at St. Joseph Church in Irondequoit. Rochester’s Catholic Bishop Salvatore Matano is scheduled to speak.