LYNN — The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to issue a resolution supporting independence in Ukraine and calling upon the federal government to increase humanitarian support to millions of refugees affected by the Russian Federation’s invasion of the country.
Ward 3 Councilor Coco Alinsug, who proposed the resolution, said that Lynn is home to many Ukrainian families and individuals. He said the council should do what he described as the morally right thing, which is to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
“This also affects us in so many ways, Mr. President,” Alinsug said, addressing Council President Jay Walsh. “As a city of immigrants, we need to show our residents that we care about what’s happening around the world and we care about the welfare of everybody’s loved ones.”
Alinsug’s resolution was met with applause from members of the audience and his fellow councilors.
Walsh said he agreed with Alinsug’s resolution. He said the city must do whatever it can to show that it stands with Ukrainians, both in and out of the city.
“I don’t think anyone misses going home and turning on the television to see what’s going on in Ukraine,” Walsh said. “It’s horrible.”
Walsh pointed to a blue-and-yellow ribbon he was wearing on his jacket to show support for Ukraine on Tuesday. He said the ribbon was made by Calvin Anderson, a resident and member of the Lynn Historical Commission.
Anderson said he wanted to show support for Ukraine; he has been making and giving away ribbons for free.
“There is a high demand right now,” Anderson said. “Recently, I gave some away to people in Florida.”
Ward 4 Councilor Richard Colucci also wore a Ukrainian flag pin during Tuesday’s meeting. Council Vice President Buzzy Barton said the situation in Ukraine is horrible, but he and the city will do whatever they can to help.
The city also showed its support for Ukraine on Tuesday by holding a flag-raising ceremony for the country at City Hall. Later that day, Mayor Jared Nicholson released a statement saying that he and the rest of the city stands in solidarity with Ukrainians both in Lynn and abroad.
“We will keep you in our thoughts as we live through this unprecedented and horrific misuse of power and violation of human rights,” Nicholson said. “We condemn this invasion by the Russian government and will continue to elevate what’s happening so that this great suffering is not forgotten.”
