SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Florida. (WSVN) – Protesters gathered at Sunny Isles Beach in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Dozens of people gathered Friday to call for peace as a second day of chaos in Ukraine drew to a close.

“I am here to support my family and my country,” said protester Iryna Gerbutova. “My brother spent half the day in a bomb shelter today.”

“There are a lot of children in Ukraine who sit in houses and are afraid because they hear bombs and gunshots,” said a young protester.

The world woke up to the news on Thursday morning and saw Russian troops crossing the border, a terrifying sight for many local Ukrainians who still have plenty of family and friends in their home country.

“It’s a terrible situation for all of us,” Gerbutova said.

Organizer Karina Moiseeva said she urges US and European officials to take action to help those affected by the conflict.

“Today is the second day that our Ukrainian people are dying, their mothers’ sons are dying, so we are asking for the second day for America, for Europe, to do something to help protect as we said in 1994, that they are going to protect Ukraine,” she said. “They promised us, and they can’t keep their promise. We only ask to keep our country independent and to ensure the safety of our families and our people today.”

The community has shown tremendous support and plans to host more events.

“It was organized very quickly, from five people in a chat, and today we have over 600 protesters,” said organizer Ilona Nesterova. “Yesterday in Hallandale so many people showed up. Someone was printing posters, someone was bringing drinks, water, snacks, everything. So many people showed up, and this isn’t the last event. Today we are here in Sunny Isles Beach, and everyone has introduced themselves.

Nesterova also expressed how important it is to support Ukraine, as it is a very difficult time for those living in chaos and those watching their home countries suffer.

“We can’t win this war without you guys. We also need you to pull your triggers. We need your support and help,” Nesterova said.

She also spoke about how Ukrainians are experiencing times that should be joyful in devastating circumstances.

“Tonight on the subway a little baby was born. Under normal circumstances they would have been born in a hospital, but tonight someone had it on the floor,” Nesterova said.

As the death and destruction continues abroad, even some local Russians are protesting and hoping the attacks will end soon.

“I am ashamed, extremely ashamed of the president of Russia, which is my native country,” said Ekaterina Vasilchenoko. “Every hour, every day is a new life we ​​lose.”

On Saturday, there’s another protest, scheduled between 4 and 8 p.m., at Young Circle in Hollywood.

A rally is also scheduled for Sunday morning at a Ukrainian church in the morning and another in the afternoon in Boca Raton.

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