Leaders Show Solidarity With Ukraine On First Anniversary of Invasion

Lamont, Congressional Delegation Support Continuing Military, Humanitarian Aid At CCSU Event

By John McNamara

NEW BRITAIN – Governor Lamont and members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation led a “commemoration” of the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine Thursday, February 23rd, at Central Connecticut State University’s (CCSU) Alumni Hall.

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz emceed a 90-minute program that included remarks of four Ukrainians forced to flee their families, jobs and communities when the Russian invasion began last February. Joining state officials and CCSU President Zulma Toro were U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-2) and U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-5).

In remarks to the more than 200 persons attending the commemoration Lamont told Ukrainian speakers who have resettled in Connecticut that they will always be welcome and wish they all get an opportunity to get back to “a free, safe and peaceful Ukraine.”

“I’m here to talk about a just war. I think you have to stand up to evil. And If you don’t, evil spreads.   Our enemies are just hoping that we lose our focus.  Our enemies are hoping we lose our commitment,” said Lamont pushing back on opponents in Congress and in right wing media making partisan attacks on the Biden administration continuing U.S. support.

Governor Ned Lamont

“I’ve spent most of  my life on college campuses protesting what I thought were unjust wars,” said Lamont, addressing students in the audience. “When I was about your age I was pretty loud in my protest against the war in Vietnam, which I felt was an absolutely unnecessary war that spent a lot of blood and treasure.” Lamont, who ran as the anti-war U.S. Senate candidate in 2006, similarly opposed “Iraqi Freedom” , the 2003 conflict in the Middle East when “weapons of mass destruction” claims and other rationales for U.S. involvement there proved false.

“I’m here to talk about a just war. I think you have to stand up to evil. And If you don’t evil spreads.   Our enemies are just hoping that we lose our focus.  Our enemies are hoping we lose our commitment,” said Lamont pushing back on opponents in Congress and in right wing media making partisan attacks on the Biden administration continuing U.S. support.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s Office Lamont said: “This last year has been abhorrent for the people of Ukraine, and it is time for Russia to end this unjustified, unprovoked attack. The murder of innocent, unarmed civilians is disgusting and is a threat to peace across the world. The people of Connecticut continue to stand in solidarity with Ukrainians and pray for their safety as they endure this assault on their freedom. I applaud President Biden for leading the free world in sanctioning and punishing Russia for their aggression against a sovereign, democratic, and peaceful nation.”

Anna Kobylarz of Polish American Foundation of Connecticut shared her work to bring medical aid and assistance to children in Ukraine where attacks on civilians have destroyed housing, hospitals, schools over the last year. Anna, who has visited Ukraine multiple times, is a leader of local and regional efforts for the “City of Goodness” Rehabilitation Center for Children as part of raising funds and donations through the Hearts for Ukraine organization. Kobylarz and the Polish American Foundation organized two fundraising events on Friday, February 24th, at New Britain’s Belvedere Restaurant on Broad Street and at the Ukrainian National Home in Hartford.

State government along with religious organizations and agencies have assisted more than 700 Ukrainians resettle in Connecticut including in New Britain over the last year. New Britain is home to many residents of Ukrainian ancestry and two churches, St. Josephat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church that serve the Ukrainian American community and have welcomed a stream of war refugees into the city since the Russian invasion.

Related story: https://newbritainindependent.com/events/new-britain-state-legislative-delegation-united-for-ukraine-services-for-ukrainian-refugees/