August 24 2022 MANHATTAN, New York – Ukrainians and supporters in NYC’s Central Park gathered to unfurl, what they say is, the world’s largest flag of Ukraine. Crowds gathered for Ukraine’s 31st Independence Day.
People were raising the flag high, allowing for children and adults to run around under it.
Today also marks six months since the start of a full scale invasion by Russia.
Earlier in the morning, street in so called “Little Russia” neighborhood in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, was co-named Ukrainian Way, to mark Ukraine Independence Day.
“There are 150,000 Ukrainian Americans who live in NYC, most of them are concentrated here in Brighton Beach.” Inna Vernikov spoke at Ukrainian Way street co-naming in Brighton Beach “I’m proud that the American people have expressed bipartisan support for the victims of war in Ukraine”
At the ceremony, groups of supporters and children held signs while wearing traditional Ukrainian colors, as they welcomed the co-naming of the avenues.
Rabbi spoke at Ukrainian Way street co-naming
“They said the reason the holocaust happened was, people who should have shouted were silent. We come here today and say just the opposite to Russia, you can’t get away with it, we’re not going to be silent, we’re going to shout.”
Brighton Beach & Coney Island Avenues run through an area of mostly Russian-speaking immigrants in Brooklyn. During the unveiling of the street co-naming the crowd gathered burst into cheers.
The co-naming ceremony started at 10am on Wednesday August 24th near the NE corner of Brighton Neach Avenue & Coney Island Avenue in front of the Russian eatery, Cafe Max.
The night before, on August 23rd, At least a hundred Ukraine supporters gathered in Bowling Green for a vigil to honor the Ukrainian National Flag day.
Together the crowd joined in singing of the Ukrainian National Anthem and also lit candles to honor their country, on the eve of Ukraine independence day.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings