The Ukrainian United Organizations of Ohio (UUOO), an affiliate of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), has succeeded in canceling the Russian Heritage Night event scheduled to take place on December 12 during the Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Washington Capitals game.
This was reported by United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio.
The Ukrainian community appealed to Ian Wilkinson, the Columbus Blue Jackets' director of sales, to cancel the event, emphasizing that the Russian Heritage Network, the organizer of the event, is a covert tool through which Russia is trying to circumvent Western sanctions.
"The Russian Heritage Network, which organized the event, is a hidden mechanism through which the Russian Federation is trying to circumvent Western sanctions," the community said in a statement.
The UUOO stressed that holding such an event against the backdrop of Russian aggression against Ukraine is unacceptable.
After numerous calls and appeals, the Columbus Blue Jackets management decided to cancel the pro-Russian event.
"We are sincerely grateful to the corporate sponsors and caring individuals who voiced their concerns and helped achieve this result," the Ukrainian community representatives said.
The Ukrainian community added that the situation should be a valuable lesson for corporations, sports organizations and the National Hockey League (NHL).
"We call on the Columbus Blue Jackets, the US National Hockey League and all companies to be more careful and responsible when entering into partnerships," the UZOO concluded.
The organizer of the event, the Russian Heritage Network, does not actually operate in Ohio, which further underscores the dubious nature of this project and its ties to promoting the Kremlin's interests.
As we reported earlier: Ukrainian Community in Ohio Condemns Local Hockey Team's Cooperation with Pro-Russian Organization
Author: Danylo Pievchev