The statement below was released by the Ukrainian World Congress on November 21.
Seven years ago, on this day, the people of Ukraine stood up in defense of their will to live freely in a democracy that respects the choice of the people. This day, which began a spiral of events leading to the Revolution of Dignity with tragic consequences, is now marked as the Day of Dignity and Freedom.
On November 21, 2013, precipitated by the refusal of the Yanukovych regime to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, the peaceful protest was answered by authorities with violence spurring the country to rise up in mass demonstrations.