Civic service to stand with Ukraine
Hamilton civic leaders and members of the public stood with Ukrainian residents in support of their war-torn homeland at a solidarity ceremony in Garden Place on Wednesday evening.
The event, attended by about 50 people, took place under the flags of Ukraine and New Zealand hoisted above the Hamilton City Council building. Dignitaries included mayor Paula Southgate and half a dozen councillors and leaders of the local Ukrainian community.
‘‘We’re sickened by the brutality of this invasion,’’ Southgate said.
At ‘‘this very sad time for Ukraine’’, Southgate announced a new council-led community fundraising effort for women and children in an as yet unnamed part of the country.
Councillors and council staff would be asked to kick it off and further details on how the public can contribute will be announced.
‘‘As a mother ... I particularly think about the children and their mothers.’’
Southgate said she also felt for all the mothers of Russian soldiers who had been dragged into a war many didn’t want.
It was hard to imagine from the safety of Hamilton the depth of fear local Ukrainians would have for relatives in their homeland.
‘‘We are a city of many different people and you are one of our peoples,’’ Southgate told them.
Roman Kashpir, a Hamiltonbased leader of the Friends of Ukraine cultural group, said: ‘‘I am very glad and proud that today we have so many friends gathered here.’’
Yuriy Gladun, chair of the northern region of the Ukrainian Association of NZ, said there had been a real outpouring of love and support from Kiwis in recent weeks.
‘‘My heart is simply filled with that love but also my heart is filled with sorrow and pain, and anger and hatred.’’
He said he couldn’t understand how Russia could be bombing civilian areas.
‘‘What did we do wrong to allow this to happen?’’ he asked, saying more international efforts were needed to stop the war.
A candle was lit in memory of all those Ukrainians who had suffered because of the ongoing conflict.