Nearly 100 Ukraine supporters attended a flag raising ceremony in downtown Fresno. (GV Wire/David Taub)
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Tears flowed as city and county elected officials raised the flags of Ukraine and the United States in Fresno. A group of Ukrainians attending the event at downtown’s Eaton Plaza sang their country’s national anthem.
Mayor Jerry Dyer condemned Russia’s invasion of the eastern European nation at the Tuesday morning gathering.
Dyer Says City’s Doors are Open
“(We) denounce this senseless war, a war that was completely unprovoked and unnecessary. A war that quite frankly, strikes at the heart of democracy. A war started by a man who resents the fact that a border country is a budding democracy,” Dyer said — referencing Russian President Vladimir Putin — as elected leaders and others carried signs and Ukrainian flags.
Dyer also welcomed any Ukrainian refugee fleeing the invasion to come to Fresno.
“Our doors are open to Ukrainian refugees who choose to come here. That is my commitment as the mayor of this city,” Dyer said at the ceremony.
‘I Don’t Know Any Other Ukraine, but Free Ukraine’
Mykhaylo Skitsak, who emigrated from Ukraine to the United States when he was 16, told his story to the approximately 100 people at the event.
“I was born in the free Ukraine. I don’t know any other Ukraine, but free Ukraine. So it breaks my heart and the heart of my fellow citizens, men that Ukraine is being bombarded and its freedom is being taken away,” Skitsak said.
Skitsak, a nurse at a Fresno hospital, also led a prayer vigil last Saturday at Woodward Park that drew 150 community members.
He says he still has family living in western Ukraine and is in contact with them daily.
In response to a question from GV Wire, Dyer said he does not believe the city has any investments in Russian-owned companies.
“If we did, I could tell you I would eliminate them today. Just like other countries are. Just like Switzerland, who has always been neutral, has gotten involved now in frozen assets in the Swiss banks. I think that is a move that every every country in our world is is taking part of today and it is the right move,” Dyer said.
Curiosity drives David Taub.
The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices.
Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read.
Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man).
Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl.
When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games.
Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue!
You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email
