Support for Ukraine continues to pour out of Niagara Region

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Published March 1, 2022 at 9:55 am

Grimsby Mayor Jeff Jordan and councillors raised the Ukraine flag at Town Hall late last week. (Photo: Facebook)

Support for Ukraine continues to pour out of the Niagara Region with councils and community leaders making it clear they stand with the blue-and-yellow.

Last night (Feb. 28), St. Catharines Council passed a motion condemning Russia’s invasion of the sovereign nation, matching the fact that many marched in the pro-Ukraine rally in the city on Saturday.

Ward 4 Councillor Karrie Porter said afterwards that a number of the councillors have Ukrainian backgrounds so it hits “close to home” for them.

Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley spoke out for the second time on the conflict, after offering Ukraine his full support late last week.

 “This weekend, I joined with hundreds of Niagara residents in a rally of support for the Ukrainian people,” said Bradley.

“It was heartening to see these types of rallies occurring around the country, and indeed around the world. I believe it is important to show our support for Ukrainian people both here in Niagara, and abroad.”

 
However, he added as the unprovoked invasion of the independent and sovereign Ukrainian nation continues to unfold, “we must also consider the humanitarian crisis that will develop over the coming weeks and months.”

To that end, he encouraged residents to donate to the Canadian Red Cross which is spearheading humanitarian efforts to help with relief efforts for Ukrainian people.

“Your donations will support immediate and ongoing relief efforts, long-term recovery, resiliency, and other critical humanitarian activities as needs arise, both in Ukraine and surrounding countries, including supporting populations displaced,” said Bradley. (Link at story’s end.)

The day of the Russian invasion (Feb. 24) Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton condemned the actions.

“The Town of Lincoln stands with the people of Ukraine, their families, and our Ukrainian-Canadian community here in Lincoln, Ontario and throughout the Niagara Region. This unapologetic invasion has provoked unnecessary human suffering to the independent Ukrainian nation.

Lincoln has raised the Ukrainian flag at Town Hall “to demonstrate solidarity and instill hope and strength to our Ukrainian-Canadian community.”

Like Lincoln, Grimsby has also raised the Ukrainian flag at Town Hall with Mayor Jeff Jordan saying, “I, along with Council and members of the Grimsby community, stand with the people of Ukraine, their families and our Ukrainian-Canadian community in unequivocally condemning the senseless attack by Russia.””Russia’s invasion on the sovereign Ukraine nation is unjustifiable and is a blatant attack on international law, democracy and human rights that will not be ignored,” he added.

To donate to the Red Cross initiative supporting Ukraine, click: https://donate.redcross.ca/page/100227/-/1 Or call 1-800-418-1111.

 

 

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