I never thought that there would be a day where I would walk in silence with nothing more than a Canadian flag and a poppy pinned to my shirt to lay flowers on a war memorial while having racial slurs flung at me, saying I should go back to Russia. I am a citizen of Canada just as much as anyone else. I deserve to commemorate those fallen in World War Two. The only flag we marched with was a Canadian flag, and no other. No anti-Ukrainian counter-protests happened during the pro-Maidan demonstrations. As for the St. George's ribbons some people chose to wear - what is the alternative? Russian flags would definitely be seen as aggression, same for the old Soviet Flag which was formerly used during Victory Day. None of the Victory Day supporters showed up in military fatigues, proudly waving Russian flags and chanting - the same can not be said for the counter-protest. To have people in cars driving by, waving Ukrainian flags and honking during the minute of silence was by far the most disgusting thing I've witnessed in a long while. I was nearly in tears by the end of it.