American rapper, Young Thug, is pushing towards helping African immigrants who’ve been stranded in Ukraine and prevented from fleeing the country amid Russia’s invasion.
Since President Vladimir Putin began Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week, there have been several reports of Black people being left behind at the border and allegedly blocked from traveling to safer territory. Video clips of African and Caribbean migrants stranded at train stations have also been widespread on social media, while many have shared their experience of being subjected to racial abuse.
Offering to help those desperately in need, US rapper Young Thug, wrote in his Instagram stories: “If some of my rap brothers are in, I’m willing to help Africans get out of Ukraine. However, I can sense they are not letting them pass. Whoever holds the info for these movements please contact me ASAP I’m ready”.
The Lifestyle rapper received a response from a private jet entrepreneur, PJ Kev, who wrote: “I’m with you my brother. Anything I can do. Reach out Asap”.
Young Thug also received support from rapper, Strick, who wrote: “This needs to be Shared more! I’m with you slime! Proud of you my brother. Always been a true leader”.
That notwithstanding, Beyonce’s charitable foundation, ‘BeyGood’, addressed the devastating reports of Black people being mistreated at the border, with a tweet shared on its Twitter account, stating: “We are saddened by the news of African and other international students being denied at the border as they attempt to leave Ukraine. We are hopeful that the various embassies could swiftly rectify the situation to help those in need of support”.
Ghanaian ace rapper, Sarkodie, sympathizing with Africans who are stranded in Ukraine prayed that God protects them while condemning the way Africans are being treated and discriminated.
Blacks in Ukraine Share their Story
One Nigerian student claimed on Twitter: “The Police and Army refused to let Africans cross borders; they only allow Ukrainians. Some have slept here for 2 days under this cold weather, while many have gone back to Lviv”.
One man named Osarumen, a Nigerian father-of-three claimed he was forced to disembark a bus after being told “no Blacks”.
Speaking to local media, he explained that he “cannot imagine a scenario where white Ukrainians would ever be denied asylum. Therefore, how they’re treating us is unwarranted. It’s baseless. We are all escaping so let’s push a common thread”.
Meanwhile, two women from the UK, plus another woman in Ukraine, have raised over 20,000 Euros to support African and Caribbean students currently stranded in the country.
The main organizer of the fund, Tokunbo Koiki, explaining what drove her to get involved, told local media that “People are scared; people are really, really terrified. Especially for the people in the major cities who are currently under attack”.
Putin’s military has continued to advance towards the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, while delegates from both sides met Monday, February 28, 2022, to negotiate peace talks.
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