'Putin! Asshole!' Scenes from a pro-Ukraine march from Coney Island to Brighton Beach

Organized by the Russian-speaking queer group RUSA LGBTQ+, the peaceful protest garnered support from all over South Brooklyn

By Alina Fresquez Patrick

This week, on Thursday, a month will have passed since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his ongoing incursion into Ukraine. The southern Brooklyn enclave of Brighton Beach, home to some of the largest Russian and Ukrainian populations outside of Eastern Europe, has been reeling with the daily drumbeat of news from the invasion ever since.

On Saturday, ex-pats and Brooklynites of Ukrainian extraction—neighbors and sympathizers and thrill seekers alike—all gathered to take part in a queer-centric “Hands Off Ukraine” protest here. It was not the first such protest and it certainly won’t be the last. The march kicked off on the boardwalk, at Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel, and took protestors east to Brighton Beach.

Demonstrators came from across the city and as far as Princeton, New Jersey to show support. Ukrainian folk songs filled the air, mixing with chants of “Putin! Asshole!” bringing onlookers into the fold along the route.

Brighton Beach yesterday was a success, but we need to keep on working every day until the war is ended. Call your representatives every day and demand they support Ukraine in this critical time! Glory to Ukraine and its heroes! pic.twitter.com/i2riavfT54

— Russian-speaking American LGBTQ+ Association (@rusalgbt) March 20, 2022

Violette Matevosian of the Russian-American queer group RUSA LGBTQ+ organized the event and could be found leading protestors in chants of “Slava Ukraini! Heryoam slava!” (“Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!”), which garnered salutes and applause from locals on the beaches and boardwalk enjoying the sunny day.

Here are a few scenes from the day in Brooklyn’s “Little Odessa.”

Anger towards Putin could be felt in many signs, including this one—which needs no translation—and in chants such as “Putin! Khuylo!” which means, roughly, “Putin! Asshole!” (Alina Patrick)

Maks came to the United States in November from Kiev. He doesn’t know when, or if, he’ll be able to return, but says he has found community here (Alina Patrick)

This person from Kazakhstan, who declined to be identified, says life in many post-Soviet republics is incredibly difficult for the LGBT community (Alina Patrick)

Elena from Odessa, Ukraine, came to Brighton Beach on Saturday to march for peace in her country (Alina Patrick)

A man and child take a break on the beach (Alina Patrick)

A man on the edge of the march shouts in support of the protestors before joining the rally (Alina Patrick)

Protestors listen to speeches and chants from RUSA LGBTQ+ volunteers (Alina Patrick)

Denys, 11, is from a city in Ukraine near the Romanian border called Chernivtsi. ‘I may be young but I want to do something to help my country,’ he says (Alina Patrick)

Onlookers saluted the protestors, yelling in Spanish, ‘Ukraine, estamos con ustedes!’ or, ‘We are with you Ukraine!’ (Alina Patrick)

Ukrainian folk musicians perform traditional songs to end the protest on a note of joy (Alina Patrick)

Baby Abby posed in a traditional Ukrainian headpiece made by her mother (Alina Patrick)

Originally from Odessa, this woman watches the protestors go by and waves her flag in support (Alina Patrick)

Representatives from RUSA LGBTQ+ speak to the crowd about the unity and strength of Ukraine, but also note the country also needs support, especially from the West (Alina Patrick)