Locals gathered in solidarity with the citizens of Ukraine during a rally outside village hall in River Forest on March 9.
The rally was believed to be one of the first of its kind in the suburbs, following several demonstrations in Chicago in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. The March 9 rally was attended by around 40 people and included the raising of the Ukrainian flag on a pole outside village hall.
River Forest Village President Cathy Adduci credited residents Mindy Credi, Marta Kozbur and Anna Cook for organizing the rally. Kozbur and Cook are Ukrainian.
Adduci spoke at the rally and five days later, on March 14, village officials approved a resolution supporting an independent and democratic Ukraine.
The Ukrainian flag is scheduled to fly outside village hall through at least April 9.
Attendees gather around the flag pole on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest, Ill. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Residents gather around and wear blue and yellow in support of Ukraine on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, outside of village hall in River Forest, Ill. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
The River Forest fire department raises the Ukrainian flag on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest, Ill. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Cathy Adduci, the village president, introduces Ukrainian community members on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest, Ill. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Marta Kozbur, a River Forest resident at art teacher at Lincoln Elementary, speaks to attendees on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest, Ill. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Attendees gather around on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest, Ill. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Attendees hold up signs donated by Personalization House in Oak Park while listening to speakers on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest, Ill. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Community members gather around together and listen to speakers talk about their Ukrainian families on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest, Ill. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Cathy Adduci, village president, listens to residents speak on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest, Ill. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Marta Kozbur, a River Forest resident at art teacher at Lincoln Elementary, speaks to attendees on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, during a rally in support of Ukraine outside of village hall in River Forest, Ill. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer