Elected officials decry Ukraine invasion

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 A group of Ukrainian Americans gathered in Westwood Thursday to express outrage over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while Southland leaders condemned the aggression and called for the most severe sanctions possible.

Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, called the Russian attack “a dark time for the people of Ukraine and for our global peace and security.”

“The United States must stand steadfast against Russian authoritarianism and unprovoked aggression,” Porter said in a statement. “Together with partners and allies, we must support Ukraine, hold Russia accountable and be prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need.”

The City of West Hollywood issued this statement:

“In the City of West Hollywood, our thoughts today turn to the people of Ukraine and to our community members of Ukrainian descent and from former Soviet republics, many of whom are deeply concerned about family and friends in the region. West Hollywood has a core value of respect and support for people and our city has a thriving community of residents with roots in countries that were former Soviet republics. We join with people and communities across the globe in calling for an immediate end to this aggression. There can be no justification for the human suffering that will result from the unprovoked attack of Russian military forces. War is never the answer. We stand for peace and we stand with Ukraine.”

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, called the invasion “an attack on the idea that countries are free to choose their own destiny, an attack on the rules-based order that has kept world peace since WWII. And most critically, an attack on democracy itself.”

Schiff called for the most severe sanctions possible against Russia in response to the military action, targeting its banks, financial markets and “oligarchs.”

“This is Putin’s war — senseless, tragic and barbaric,” Schiff said on his Twitter account. “We must enact debilitating sanctions on Russia and cut them off from the global economy. And, in the meantime, we pray for the Ukrainian people. An end to this madness.”

In Westwood, hundreds of people held a rally against the military assault. They waved Ukrainian flags, played the Ukrainian national anthem and held signs with slogans including “Help save my home” and “Stop Putin.”

Another rally of Ukrainian-Americans is expected in Studio City Thursday night.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an unprovoked attack with no justification, and it is incumbent on all nations to ensure that Putin and his government are met with severe consequences,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D- California, said in a statement. “Putin must understand that such aggression will not stand.

“The United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our NATO allies against any further Russian belligerence. The alliance is strong and united. And the U.S. government has done an excellent job collecting and disseminating intelligence on Russian plans to make clear that Russia intended this invasion all along and fabricated pretenses to launch it. I’m confident the intelligence community will continue this critical work.”

Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Huntington Beach, said, “I am praying for the people of Ukraine, our allies, and our nation. Vladimir Putin does not get to decide the borders of a free and sovereign country. As Americans, we are committed to defending freedom at home and abroad. It’s critical that we protect our NATO alliance and work together in support of Ukraine’s right to defend herself from this unchecked aggression and violence.”

Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, said he was praying for the “innocent civilians and military personnel in harm’s way in Ukraine.” But he laid blame for the attack on the Biden administration’s failure to create “a stronger deterrence and failing to demonstrate to the world that the United States and our allies are to be respected.”

“The unlawful steps Russia is taking against Ukraine are only the beginning,” Garcia said in a statement. “China formally annexing and attacking Taiwan is the end state of all of these actions. Taiwan will be in the crosshairs of China if we do not start growing a backbone as a superpower. Until then, the US becomes more vulnerable every day this persists.”

Biden, speaking from the White House Thursday, laid full blame on the attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences,” Biden said as he outlined another series of economic sanctions.

The military action was already leading to economic consequences domestically, with the instability leading to sudden jumps in already high gas prices in the Southland and nationally. The average price of a gallon of gas in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area was $4.82 a gallon, according to the Auto Club of Southern California, a record-high amount that is up 4 cents from last week and $1.14 higher than a year ago.

“The escalation of tensions into all-out war has pushed up Brent Crude prices above $100 a barrel, and if that trend continues, we could see gas prices start going up more quickly,” Auto Club spokesman Doug Shupe said. “Also, this week’s US Energy Information report indicates that West Coast gasoline supplies are at their lowest levels of 2022, which could also add to upward price pressure.”

Biden said he was aware of the impact on gas prices and said the county is prepared to release supplies from its oil reserves.

“I know this is hard and that Americans are already hurting,” he said. “I’ll do everything in my power to limit the pain the American people are feeling at the gas pump.”

Copyright 2022, City News Service, Inc.

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SUPPORT UKRAINE
SUPPORT UKRAINE
2 years ago

For the most up to date and authentic news of the Invasion of Ukraine, look to France 24, DW Berlin, BBC and NHK all available on PBS. Important interviews with remarkable informed people rather than commercial soundbites

SUPPORT UKRAINE
SUPPORT UKRAINE
2 years ago
SUPPORT UKRAINE
SUPPORT UKRAINE
2 years ago

TIERGARTEN PARK, BERLIN 2/27/22
DEMONSTRATION FOR UKRAINE
TENS OF THOUSAND IN SUPPORT

WHERE WAS WEST HOLLYWOOD THAT SHOULD HAVE EMBRACED THEIR UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY?

SHAMEFUL NOT A SINGLE CITY OFFICIAL VISIBLY THOUGH TO OFFER PUBLIC SUPPORT

David
David
2 years ago

The invasion and the reason’s for Russia’s invasion remind me that history repeats itself. The encroachment of 15 new NATO countries after the collapse of the USSR and the Berlin wall was a 30 year creep with occasionally sudden lunges. Like the prelude to WWII was a reaction to Germany’s merciless reparations after WWI, we now clearly have Putin feeling cornered (and like Hitler), spewing nationalism and the right to territory.

Last edited 2 years ago by David
Peter B
Peter B
2 years ago

Stop drinking Russian vodka, that’ll teach them.

Josh Kurpies
2 years ago

We Americans all should be speaking out against Putin and his illegal and unprovoked use of military force against a sovereign state, if not, what does one stand for? This includes our City Council, a Council that represents a significant number of Russian-speaking residents with ties to Ukraine and the former Soviet Republics who have personal connections with the places and people that are being destroyed by Putin’s actions. They need to know their neighbors and Councilmembers stand for peace and we stand with Ukraine.

Steve Martin
Steve Martin
2 years ago
Reply to  Josh Kurpies

Thank you Josh for articulating what most people in this City are thinking. Even though many of our Ukrainian residents came to West Hollywood over thirty years ago, many still are in anguish for the family and friends they left behind. This invasion was a totally avoidable human tragedy of historic dimensions.

Appropriate Support for Ukraine
Appropriate Support for Ukraine
2 years ago
Reply to  Josh Kurpies

Well said. Their community represents approximately 20 % of the voting public and the time to have made such an important admonition was Tuesday evening at City Council. Instead they were engrossed in a commendation to dog spa owners and their multicolored dyed canine celebrities which most certainly could have been postponed for a more appropriate occasion. Priorities are important.

Comedian to President
Comedian to President
2 years ago

From comedian to president of Ukraine in three years.
Volodymyr Zelensky will need to access some humor in this darkly absurd but lethal situation.
All the best to him and his compatriots.

greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
2 years ago

F*** Putin.

TaxReligion
TaxReligion
2 years ago
Reply to  greeneyedguy

The way the USA has treated the Ukrainians, they’re going to be saying f*** Biden and Hunter who have profited enormously personally from this coup.

Last edited 2 years ago by TaxReligion
greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
2 years ago
Reply to  TaxReligion

There is no reality based in your comments. It’s all just nonsense and delusion.

It’s really sad that we have a whole faction of the GOP basically PRAISING PUTIN while this is happening.

Trump, MTG, Tucker Carlson, etc

WehoFan
WehoFan
2 years ago
Reply to  greeneyedguy

You didn’t care about Ukraine until a week ago.

greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
2 years ago
Reply to  WehoFan

Can you stop assuming you know anything about me?

All you do is hurl nasty insults and inflammatory comments on this site.

SOS Weho
SOS Weho
2 years ago

Where are the West Hollywood NaziCrats when it comes to endorsing the trucker’s convoy now headed to Washington. The silence confirms their endorsement of “Black Face” Unjust Trudeau. Of course WeHo’s DNA Official POC Sepi Shyne would claim the truckers are all white racists. Dismissing the working class drivers, including women, African Americans, real POC, Asians, GOP, Democrats… But they aren’t WOKEites like the SHE.

As far supporting Ukraine, lots of hollow words from the WEHO nightmare political hacks, grandstanding for more attention.

Alan Strasburg
Alan Strasburg
2 years ago
Reply to  SOS Weho

Ms. Shyne appears to have made a heartfelt statement of support, as many millions of private individuals have done, and many thousands of political individuals have done. It expresses support to the people of a nation and appears to make no political statement. I will add my own political statement by saying that the people of Ukraine are the victims of a violent, unprovoked assault. They deserve our thoughts and support. There is zero connection to the convoy, or any other matter in the news, locally, nationally, or internationally.

TaxReligion
TaxReligion
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan Strasburg

Are you Shyne’s new flack? Protecting the reputation of the Holy She. I know the city manager dumped that dreadful woman who was the city PR flack… thank the sky Gods.

Alan Strasburg
Alan Strasburg
2 years ago
Reply to  TaxReligion

Right is right, and wrong is wrong. There was nothing wrong with what she tweeted, and there was everything right with it.

West
West
2 years ago
Reply to  SOS Weho

I instantly knew all our Democratic establishment-aligned politicians would loudly insert themselves to decry Putin. That’s fair.

Meanwhile the last few weeks shocking images have emerged of peaceful protestors being assaulted & trampled by Canadian and UN ground troops, demonetized & criminalized by their own government, in tyrannical lock step with MSM smearing them as terrorists. The silence from our fake-@ss leaders is deafening.

The entire CC couldn’t f^cking care less about the sanctity of Democracy. Political theater is all this is.

greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
2 years ago
Reply to  West

They are terrorists. Stop comparing to pathetic conspiracy nazi convoy to whats happening in Ukraine. Shame on you.

WehoFan
WehoFan
2 years ago
Reply to  greeneyedguy

You continue to attack and insult people.

Last edited 2 years ago by WehoFan
greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
2 years ago
Reply to  WehoFan

If it quacks like a duck…

Ham Shipey
Ham Shipey
2 years ago

LOL. West Hollywood is a national joke.

JF1
JF1
2 years ago
Reply to  Ham Shipey

They make sure to put out this statement on their position on a global matter hoping to get some exposure on the national level. How about focusing on your little city and the issues that continue to destroy our quality of life and safety. We are a city of less than 2sq miles. Focus on the people that elected you to run our small city and stop spending energy and time on issues on the other side of the planet. You have enough to keep you busy right here in your own backyard that you neglect.

Alan Strasburg
Alan Strasburg
2 years ago
Reply to  JF1

This gesture of kindness in recognizing the Ukrainians here in our community and indeed in the entire nation of Ukraine is not a grandstanding policy pronouncement, but a very appropriate recognition of our shared humanity. Good on Ms. Shyne, and all others with hearts. I note that WeHo city hall, and the lanterns on SMB will be lit up in blue and yellow tonight. Good on WeHo.

08mellie
08mellie
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan Strasburg

Oh, puhleeze. JF1is 100% correct. Just window dressing.

greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
2 years ago
Reply to  08mellie

JF1 is 100% wrong. Sorry!

Disengenuousness
Disengenuousness
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan Strasburg

Unfortunately Ms. Shyne has given the public many examples of her disingenuousness. Hiding behind the tragedy of another people is repugnant and shows lack of credibility.

greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
2 years ago
Reply to  JF1

stop spending energy and time on issues on the other side of the planet.”

It’s a single sentence tweet standing in solidarity. You’re overreacting (again).

TaxReligion
TaxReligion
2 years ago
Reply to  greeneyedguy

Who cares what the dregs on that city council think. They’re the lowest form of humanity. Two bit WeHo politicians, the SHE, grasping for attention and some kind of national 5 minutes of fame. Basically, they’re perfect for a reality show. They’re so ridiculous. Just look at John Erickson.

Last edited 2 years ago by TaxReligion
greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
2 years ago
Reply to  TaxReligion

Obviously you care what the city council members think. Anything they say or do seems to trigger some hateful response from you. All you have to offer is ad hominem insults and nothing more.

It’s really sad that you’ve been allowed to bombard the comment section on every article (under several different usernames) with this nonsense.

GayWaspLivesMatter
GayWaspLivesMatter
2 years ago
Reply to  greeneyedguy

OMG You are Roberta Oliver!

Billionaire Ukrainians
Billionaire Ukrainians
2 years ago

Fortunately most of the billionaire Ukrainians are standing with their country even with billions to lose.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2022/02/24/richest-ukrainians-with-billions-to-lose-close-ranks-as-putin-unleashes-war/