For A United BiH
March #ForAUnitedBiH receives support from Senator Dick Durbin, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Holocaust Museum
On Saturday, February 26, an estimated 1,500 members of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian (BiH) diaspora and allies gathered to recognize the 30th anniversary of BiH’s independence at Daley Plaza in Chicago, Illinois. The #ForAUnitedBiH march called attention to the escalating political situation and threats of violence and secession in BiH. We stood together and voiced our support for a united, multi-ethnic BiH, chanting against war and ethno-nationalism. The day also marked the first time Bosnia and Herzegovina's yellow and blue flag was raised in the city’s history.
Chicago was joined by DC, Atlanta and San Jose as we all rallied for the same cause.
In Chicago, a letter of support from Senator Dick Durbin was read and attendees heard from genocide survivors, including activist Senada Cvrk Pargan, and members of the Bosnian diaspora: Ehlimana Gutosic, Vahidin Kuric, Ervin Tahirovic, Ermina Veljacic, Adelisa Turnadzic, Aida Mackic and Haris Dzubur. Also in attendance was Pavlo Bandriwsky of the Illinois division of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, who spoke in support of the march and expressed solidarity between Bosnians and Ukrainian people in light of Russia’s illegal attack on the country, and the devastation of the genocide which occurred in BiH.
We aimed to raise awareness for the following:
Maintaining territorial integrity, anything less violates the 1995 Dayton peace agreement.
Elections that are free of ethnic and religious restrictions, where neither ethnicity nor religion can prevent a Bosnian citizen from running for office.
Protections for returnees – no one should fear violence when returning to their hometown.
Consequences for corruption – no one should fear losing their job because their employer is registered with a particular political party.
Act for BiH/ JednaBiH coalition includes the Bosnian American Defense Council (BADC), Bosnian American Genocide Institute, JaBiH, Helping Hearts of BiH, and Midwest Bosnians.
The coalition has received support from Senator Dick Durbin, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and recognition from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker through the March 1st proclamation of Bosnian American Day.
In Atlanta, the march was organized by Omladina Atlante and marchers were joined by Mayor David Still, and a host of speakers who led the bilingual ceremony in English and Bosnian. Speakers included Ermina Miljković, Mirza Karić on behalf of Fadil Cvrk, Azra Čubro, Enis Kovacević, Elma Pačo, Jasna Jašarević, Anida Mehicrvić, and Medina Hadžić on behalf of Zejna Hadžić.
The Washington D.C. rally was led by Tea Sefer, Megan McCullough, Din Djedovic, Griffin Barris, Dr. David Pettigrew and was supported by many other volunteers and activists.
The San Jose rally was led by Damir Hudovic and additional volunteers.
So what's next?
MARCH 7th, 2022 12pm CT, 1pm ET
The Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina (ACBH) together with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is inviting the Bosnian diaspora to a meeting with Administrator Samantha Power and Bosnian Americans on Monday, March 7 at 1:00 PM ET, 12pm CT.
The meeting will be an opportunity for Administrator Power to hear directly from the community, as well as share reflections on her recent travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Please click on the button below to register for the event and pre-submit question(s) to be answered in the Q&A session.
We plan on attending and asking questions. Please join if you are able to.
There's much to do and we are so glad you are on board with us! So join us!
The Act for BiH/ One BiH Team!
