Warwick Raises Ukraine Flag Supporting War Victims

WARWICK, RI — Mayor Frank Picozzi joined several local officials at Warwick City Hall Saturday at 10 a.m. to raise Ukraine’s flag alongside the U.S. and Rhode Island flags supporting victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I wanted it to be a very simple event with no speaking program or fanfare,” Picozzi said.

“This is a symbolic gesture to express that the city of Warwick and it’s residents support the innocent victims of this war and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Joining him were Council President Steve McCalister, Councilman Tim Howe, Councilman Ed Laduceur, Councilwoman Donna Travis, Councilman Jim McElroy, Councilman Jeremy Rix, State Representatives David Bennett and Joseph Solomon.

Warwick Senior Services Director Meg Underwood also attended, providing the Ukranian flag, Picozzi wrote on his Facebook page about the event.

“Meg’s grandparents emigrated here from Ukraine and she was kind enough to find a Ukrainian flag for us while we were striking out in our search.”

Also on Saturday, Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), senior member of the House Committees on Armed Services and Homeland Security, along with fellow Congress members, held a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“President Zelenskyy shared the latest updates on the unprovoked and premeditated Russian invasion of Ukraine, and he thanked Congress and the Biden Administration for the United States’ support for Ukraine, particularly the unprecedented sanctions regime enacted thus far. It is heartbreaking to hear of the devastation on the ground — we must continue to support the brave people of Ukraine in their struggle for a peaceful, sovereign nation,” Langevin said in a statement following the meeting.

“As Putin’s unjustified war continues, we must look for additional ways to impose further costs on Russia and Vladimir Putin. I am fully committed to supporting President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people by providing substantial military, economic, and humanitarian aid. They are fighting not just for their homeland, but for the very notion of democracy. The American people stand with them in that fight. Slava Ukraini. (Glory to Ukraine).