“A Day of Prayer for Ukraine”
By Dan Murphy
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Westchester County Executive George Latimer called for a day of prayer for Ukraine on Feb. 27, and both will be attending mass on that day at St. Michael’s Catholic Church at 10am.
“Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine is a blatant affront to the most fundamental basic values we hold at our core.Ukraine is our friend and ally and deserves our full support as they find themselves fighting for their freedom.In alliance with Yonkers‘ Ukrainian community, I will be declaring a city-wide Day of Prayer for our friends in Ukraine this Sunday, February 27th.I invite you to join me at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church at 21 Shonnard Place on Sunday, 2/27, at 10 am. #YonkersStandsWithUkraine,” said Mayor Spano.
“What the world is witnessing in Ukraine right now is abhorrent behavior by a despot looking to force his worldview on another sovereign nation. Russia must retreat from this military invasion and must face consequences from the rest of the free world. Westchester County stands with our Ukrainian population in support of Democracy, freedom and the people of Ukraine,” said Latimer, who also announced that he will be celebrating mass with the Ukrainian community in Yonkers as he shows support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Americans living in Westchester on Feb. 27 at 10am, at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, 21 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.
Yonkers City Councilman Anthony Merante said, “I STAND WITH UKRAINE!My heart is with the people of Ukraine along with our many Yonkers Ukrainian residents in these trying times of blatant Russian aggression against the peace loving, free nation of Ukraine. You are all no doubt watching with great concern the dangerous developments regarding the continued aggression of Vladimir Putin against the nation of Ukraine.It is not unimaginable that, over the next few weeks or possibly days, we may bear witness to a horrifying invasion of an innocent democratic and sovereign nation which would result in the deaths of tens of thousands and the subjugation of millions with repercussions throughout the free world. “#STANDWITHUKRAINE”
Former City Council President Mike Khader said, “In 2012 Presidential candidate Senator Mitt Romney said during a debate that Russia was the biggest geopolitical threat and many pundits ridiculed him. Every nation and human being that stands for freedom should stand in solidarity with Ukraine 
and its people. Article 5 of the #NATO treaty states an attack on one is an attack on all. Russia’s premeditated and calculated attack happened for the world to watch, every nation large and small must respond swiftly and publicly. Today Ukraine was invaded tomorrow it may be your homeland. To the residents of Yonkers we must stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainians overseas and our vibrant Ukrainian community here in Yonkers. I look forward to visiting St. Michaels Ukrainian Church this Sunday to pray for peace and safety in the region.”
Congressman Jamaal Bowman stated, “We unequivocally stand with the global Ukrainian community, and stand with the Ukrainian government and its peoples. My heart is with them and the world during this unjust, terrifying and painful moment. The unprovoked attack on Ukraine is an indefensible invasion and a violation of international law. I vigorously condemn Russian imperialism and fascism. I am committed to supporting the Biden administration in holding Putin and his oligarchs accountable and in caring for the inevitable refugees who will need the international community to open its doors. Prior to the most recent escalations, Putin’s unchecked imperialism in the Donbas region has resulted in more than 14,000 deaths and forced more than 1.5 million to flee their homes,” said Rep. Bowman.
“The decision to involve the U.S. military in war is the constitutional responsibility of Congress, which is why I recently joined more than 40 of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in reaffirming Congressional War Powers. I applaud President Biden for his commitment not to involve our troops in direct conflict, and urge the international community to avoid further conflict. Our full attention must be to de-escalate, withdraw troops, create a ceasefire and to protect the Ukrainian people from further harm so they may remain safely in their homes and communities. While it is clear Putin is intent on rejecting diplomacy, I urge the Biden administration and the international community to do all it can to create conditions that may require Russia to engage in diplomacy that would result in an immediate ceasefire, at minimum.”
New York State has the largest Ukrainian population in the United States, and after New York City, Yonkers has one of the largest, and proudest, Ukrainian populations.
