City of Buffalo recently issued the following announcement.
Mayor Byron W. Brown and Council President Darius Pridgen designated Niagara Square “Ukraine Freedom Square” and unveiled the official signs that will be put up this week. The temporary re-designation of the Square is the latest demonstration of support for the Ukrainian people and government in their struggle to stop the attack on their nation’s sovereignty by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mayor Brown said, “The people of Buffalo continue to stand with the people of Ukraine in their fight to preserve democratic rule and their national sovereignty. Because of the relentless effort of the Ukrainian men and women who have resisted the Russian military, the City of Kyiv remains the capital of an independent Ukraine and the Russian military’s attempt at a swift conquest has stalled out. So, it is fitting that we honor them and their struggle for freedom against oppression by designating Niagara Square as ‘Ukraine Freedom Square’.”
Council President Darius Pridgen said, “My heart goes out to the innocent victims of this unfounded and unnecessary war, including the families and children who have been killed and injured, or who are fleeing their homeland to escape Russia’s unprovoked attack. The City of Buffalo’s actions today show that we support the nation of Ukraine and its people in their fight against foreign invaders to keep the sovereignty of their nation.”
Mayor Brown and Council President Pridgen jointly announced that the City of Buffalo, at the request of the Ukrainian General Consulate, is officially suspending its “Sister City” relationship with the Russian Federation City of Tver. Buffalo and Tver became sister cities in 1989 and have engaged in several cultural exchanges. The Executive Order suspending the relationship stipulates that sister city relations would return to normal once hostilities in Ukraine come to an end and Russian military forces withdraw leaving the democratically elected Ukrainian government in place.
This is the latest action by the City of Buffalo to show its support for the people of Ukraine. Over the last month, the Administration—in partnership with the County Executive and others—has also donated 200,000 surgical masks, raised the Ukrainian flag in Niagara Square, and written the Biden Administration to demonstrate its willingness to host war refugees.
To make a donation that will assist the people of Ukraine, visit the International Committee of the Red Cross at www.icrc.org.
Original source can be found here.
