Bay Area activists describe 'Save Kherson' action, urge continued support for Ukraine

Pat Faye, host of the Megatrends podcast, interviewed Bay Area activists on Dec. 16 about an International Day of Action for Kherson and other Ukraine solidarity events held worldwide. Michael Udanin, who helped organize the Bay Area gathering at Ferry Plaza on the Embarcadero, described Kherson’s capture in early March 2022, the city’s subsequent liberation in November 2022 and continuing civilian harm from small munitions and drones. "They started calling it human safari," Udanin said, describing attacks on people walking and cycling in Kherson.

Heather Beck and Greg Adair, who also participated in the Dec. 16 Zoom, urged listeners to use verified sources, support journalists reporting from Ukraine and press elected officials about continued assistance. Adair said congressional outreach and grassroots pressure contributed to passing a supplemental aid package; he cited a figure of $62,000,000,000 mentioned during the discussion as a past congressional appropriation for Ukraine support.

Panelists recommended concrete actions for listeners: sign petitions, contact members of Congress (constituent letters and calls), volunteer with local groups and support Ukrainian media outlets. The conversation closed with on-air solidarity, with participants chanting "Slava Ukraine." The guests said continued public attention matters to civilians on the ground and to sustaining political support in Washington.

The segment was a discussion among activists and did not record any formal votes or governmental actions. The hosts and guests framed their recommendations as advocacy steps rather than binding policy.