SACRAMENTO-

As the images came pouring in from a Ukraine in turmoil, emotions came pouring out from Ukrainians in Northern California.

On the steps of the State Capitol Sunday night, they held a vigil for what they are calling “the Celestial 100.” They are 100 protestors who lost their lives in demonstrations against the government of Viktor Yanukovich in Ukraine.

“So many people had to die to finally bring in Democracy. So we’re here to honor those people,” said Oksana Geletyuk of Roseville.

The Slavic population in the Sacramento area is big. It’s estimated at more than 100,000 people. It’s a thriving community that settled here in part because, as the old Soviet Union was disintegrating, religious leaders here were adept at navigating the bureaucracy for bringing someone to the U.S. for religious asylum.

But many still hope for something better for their homeland.

“It takes a lot of courage to go to the capitol and fight for your beliefs and make sure that future generations are able to live in a country that offers them more,” Geletyuk said.

On display amongst the Northern California expatriates was fierce pride of country and fierce rejection of that country’s failed leadership, all an ocean away but so very near to the hearts of these Northern Californians.