Screening of ’20 Days in Mariupol’ to support Ukraine

WATERVLIET, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — As Russian attacks in Ukraine intensify this week, a fundraiser in the Capital Region tonight brought people together for medical and humanitarian relief.  The screening of the academy award winning documentary, “20 days in Mariupol,” also sparked discussion of the misinformation war being waged.  Dozens of people filled the Ukrainian American Cultural Center in Watervliet for the showing of documentary that won the first Oscar for the Associated Press and their journalists who continued their work in Mariupol as the Ukrainian city came under siege.

“They escaped Mariupol and they’re alive. They keep working because Ukraine needs people who fight and people who work,” said Iryna Johnson, founder of Medical Relief for Ukraine .

The documentary covering the beginning of Russia’s wider invasion in 2022 was brought here by two groups: 518Ukrainians and Ukraine Solidarity Capital District . “We’re really happy to bring this event to the Capital District because it’s important to see what is really happening in the beginning of the war. It’s sad but very realistic eyewitness account of the atrocities that are happening during the war,” said Dr. Anna Allen.

Iryna Johnson, founder of Medical Relief for Ukraine, says her daughter is still living in the war-torn country.

“That is why we started this organization two years ago, to help Ukraine. And we raise money by selling Ukrainian food and we also concentrate on informational kind of fights,” said Johnson.

Members with Ukraine Solidarity Capital District say America is well poised to make a difference in the war efforts, but say we need to more. “Getting out information that actually counters the pro-Russian narrative that’s occurring in this country everywhere. From things that justify the invasion to positions that would lead to Ukraine being overrun,” said Co-Chair, Susan Dubois.

“We together we’re outraged by the Russian invasion we were shocked and horrified and appalled,” said another Co-Chair, Peter Warren.

Some refugees from the war have come to the capital region. Natalia Baran Coletta tells me about the refugee children she works with here. “I talk to little kids I asked them if they’re okay are they all right they tell me one little student said this to me and I actually wanted to cry so badly he tells me blue and yellow is our home,” said Baran Coletta.

“I tell them I know that you missed your home I know it’s okay I understand, and he tells me that here is better,” finished Baran Coletta

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the local chapter of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and their relief efforts in Ukraine.

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