Two Ukrainian organizations are calling on Edmonton police to investigate a “hate crime” after hockey fans were allegedly assaulted by Russian-speaking men following an Oilers game..The Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council and Ukrainian Canadian Congress National said Sunday members of their community “adorned with Ukrainian flags and other symbols” were taking photos outside of Rogers Place when they were attacked by “a group of men who spoke and yelled in Russian.”.The council and congress national said the alleged assault was physical and involved multiple assailants who punched, kicked and grabbed the necks of the Ukrainian fans. The incident followed a 50/50 draw, with the proceeds going to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine..While the organizations said Rogers Centre caught the attack on video camera and that one assailant was handcuffed and removed by Edmonton Police Services (EPS), the Western Standard was unable to confirm the incident with EPS..Council President Orysia Boychuk said he was among those assaulted and had strong words for his alleged assailants..“Russia is waging a genocidal war against Ukraine. We were showing our support for Ukraine and we were assaulted because of it. We will never be intimidated by cowards who turn to violence to try to silence us,” Boychuk said..Congress National President Alexandra Chyczij said the EPS must investigate the assault as “hate crime” amid “increasing violence, vandalism and attacks on members of our Ukrainian Canadian community, our institutions and buildings.”.Premier Jason Kenney tweeted his support for the alleged victims..The Alberta government has spent more than $11.3 million on humanitarian aid and defensive equipment for Ukraine. It has also prioritized Ukrainian nationals for permanent residency via the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program..Amber Gosselin is a Western Standard reporter..agosselin@westernstandardonline.com
