Empire strikes back – in solidarity with Ukraine
People take part in a protest after Russia launched a massive
military operation against Ukraine, in New York City,
U.S., Feb. 24, 2022. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs
Caribbean Life, MARCH 4-10, 2022 11
In a show of solidarity with
the Ukraine, a blue and yellow
coloration lit the New York skyline
throughout the weekend,
two days after Russia’s militaristic
invasion of the country’s
sovereignty.
The glow represented the
European nation’s determination
to remain free and also
repudiation of the Kremlin,
President Vladimir Putin’s
dictates as well as Gov. Kathy
Hochul’s commitment to the
150.000 Ukranian immigrant
population who reside here.
“New York is the proud home
of the largest Ukrainian population
in the United States and
we condemn the unjust and
unconscionable violence being
perpetrated against the people
of Ukraine,” Gov. Hochul said.
The top state administrator
of the acclaimed Empire state
added that the lights signified
the state’s readiness to respond
to the crisis which ignited last
Thursday when Russian troops
shelled armor from the air and
on land.
“We stand in solidarity with
those in New York who are
scared for their family and loved
ones, and our prayers are with
the innocent victims as they
fight to maintain their freedom
as a sovereign people and
nation.”
City and state landmarks
beamed the hues from Manhattan’s
Empire State Building, One
World Trade Center, Grand Central
Terminal to the Kosciuszko
Bridge in Queens, Gov. Mario
Cuomo Bridge and as far away
as the capital’s Albany International
Airport Gateway.
Other lit structures included
the H. Carl McCall SUNY Building,
State Education Building,
Alfred E. Smith State Office
Building, Empire State Plaza,
State Fairgrounds – Main Gate
and Expo Center, The “Franklin
D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson
Bridge and Fairport Lift Bridge.
In another show of solidarity
here, NBC-TV’s popular “Saturday
Night Live” suspended their
usual caustic opening introduction
opting to showcase
the Ukranian Choir Dumka of
New York who sang “Prayer for
Ukraine.”
In front of the choir, lit candles
spelled “Kyiv” the name of
the capital city under siege. The
‘Live From New York’ production
also amped up the messaging
with displays of sunflowers,
the national flower of the European
nation.
Further north, Canadians
joined allied forces in support of
Ukraine to protest the conflict.
“Ontario joins Canada’s allies
in condemning the Russian
government’s act of aggression
against the Ukrainian people
and we strongly support the
federal government’s efforts
to sanction the Russian government,”
Peter Bethlenfalvy,
Ontario’s Finance Minister said
in a statement.
“The people of Ontario will
always stand against tyranny
and oppression.”
More than 700 stores across
the province removed Russianimported
products — which
include Stoli Vodka, Russian
Standard Original Vodka, Beluga
Noble Russian Vodka, Karkov
Vodka and Zyr Vodka. Smirnoff,
although founded in Moscow,
is owned and produced by U.K.
company Diageo.
Elsewhere in Canada, other
provinces including New
Brunswick, British Columbia
and Nova Scotia took a similar
stance.
In Wichita, Kansas one liquor
store reportedly removed
more than 100 bottles of Russian
vodka from its shelves
and poured some of it on the
ground.
“I guess this is our sanction
… and this may be small, but
every small thing makes a difference,”
the owner said.
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Inside Life
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