Victims of Communism: Why This History Still Matters Today

Communities from around the world gathered in Washington for the Roll Call of Nations, an annual event honoring victims of communist regimes.
For many, the story is not just about the past. From Belarus to Georgia to Ukraine, speakers described how the legacy of communism continues to shape lives today — and how those experiences are often misunderstood by younger generations.
The event, organized by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, highlights the human cost of communist systems and the importance of remembering — and understanding — that history.
As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, participants say those lessons are not only historical, but deeply relevant today.