To the Editor:
We are planning a peaceful gathering from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7, in Downtown Statesville to show support for Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine.
Many folks on both sides of the political spectrum are disappointed in President Trump’s position concerning the Russian attack on the sovereignty of Ukraine. Not only has our country invested billions of dollars to help the people of Ukraine, but we also are aware of the atrocities that Russia has bestowed upon the Ukrainian people by bombing infrastructure and kidnapping women and children. Add to that the longing of the Ukrainian people to be a free and democratic society like our own, and we have a dire need for our voices to be heard.
We will gather on the Square in Statesville to show our support. We urge folks to bring American and Ukrainian flags and posters that show your support for Ukraine. While we cannot tell you what to present, we hope that the attendees present a positive message of support for Ukraine and Democracy. We also would love to see veterans participate.
Please be aware of proper peaceful demonstration protocols such as not blocking streets, sidewalks or entry to buildings.
It’s time for our voices to be heard. We believe that there is not anything more valuable to America in Ukraine than freedom and democracy. See you Friday!
Bob & Lisa Barber
Hiddenite
We will be there 🙌🏼
The leader of Ukraine was not on his best behavior at the White House recently. He made the wrong moves and deserved to be put into his place. We have gifted Ukraine with $350 Billion thus far and you’d think he would be ready to at least make an attempt at peace. Any and all who would defend him at this point are seemingly out of touch with reality. Don Ledbetter
You’re buying the bogus narrative MAGA is selling. The only person disrespecting the Oval Office is Donald Trump.
It is a war Ukraine can not possibly win no matter how much money we give. How many more people have to die? It absolutely needs to stop and I am glad Zelenskyy has come to his senses and is ready to negotiate for peace. This war must end!
Ok but you all are regurgitating legacy media. So your point?
Trump and his followers were the ones being disrespectful They all ganged up on Zelensky and blindsided him with their childish bullying! He couldn’t argue against their arrogance and stupidity. Don, do you really want to see our country ruled by Trump and Musk and the other billionaires and Trump’s horribly qualified cabinet and lose our freedom and democracy?
You are correct Don. Totally agree.
Thumbs up to that Ginger!!
Most of us are NOT disappointed in our President!! We are proud of him standing up to a grifting dictator who only wants war!!
“a grifting dictator who only wants war!!”
He’s standing up to Putin?
Thank you Ginger. My thoughts exactly.. Seems like some people swing from cause to cause like a leaf blowing in a whirlwind. They’re thinking with their emotions, not their head. If people would do their homework, they will really see what zelensky is all about. He cares nothing for his people, he sure cares nothing for the American people! President Trump offered him a ceasefire and he turned it down wanting cash. I stand for my country! I stand for the United States of America and proud of it!
“Doing homework” involves more than watching the Fox News propaganda only – over and over and over again. It involves researching the factual history of a situation, an educated understanding of international relations and diplomacy, and our own national security. It is neither entertainment nor an either/or situation like a sports event.
The Heritage Foundation and billionaires love it when people believe bogus information, repeated over and over, but the one person who loves it the most is Vladimir Putin! He is seeing his historical and usual and customary tactics working with people who refuse to be objective and accurately informed — the USA!
Preach it!
The problem isn’t ignorance—it’s willful blindness.
Even if you only consume one-sided media, the truth is still out there, easily accessible. But some people don’t want to know it. Their hearts are so hardened by hate that they reject reality, twisting it to fit their own bitterness.
Prove it?
Only people filled with such hate would claim to be Christian while spewing nothing but venom.
Only people filled with such hate would align themselves with a dictator who kidnapped 114,000 children and bombed a children’s hospital.
This isn’t about politics. This isn’t about left vs. right. This is about basic morality. And if you find yourself defending atrocities, maybe it’s time to ask:
What does that say about you?
Trump offered Zelensky a ceasefire that involves GIVING UP all the territory that Russia has taken. A ceasefire with zero security guarantees other than a ‘Wink’ saying Russia will take this peace treaty seriously.. Unlike all the past ones they’ve violated.
When you’ve been under constant attack by Russia for the past 11 years, a Wink is not enough guarantee. Giving up a single foot of territory is not acceptable, and sets a precedent that Russia is free to take whatever they want (which they will). Give Zelensky a peace treaty where all of Ukraine Territory is given back to his people, and a promise to step in if Russia tries this again tomorrow, and I’m sure he’d accept.
I stand for the United States of America, the previous leaders of the Free World. We gave up that title last week when we sided with Russia/China/North Korea. Our country is becoming one of the Bad Guys and it sickens me.
Amen.
Please don’t speak for the rest of us. “Most of us” may be way different than what you anticipate, Ginger.
Wow! A simp for Russia. How disgusting.
Trump isn’t standing up to Putin. He’s kowtowed to him for over a decade. Notice he NEVER has a bad word for Putin? NEVER! Putin is the grifting dictator who only wants war! He could stop the war any day, but he chooses to continue to terrorize the Ukrainian people!
Yeah, and killing and kidnapping children is right up MAGA alley? Slaughtering and raping thousands? Glad I live in the Bible belt. I have no doubt Trump is supported by so many.
“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.”
I stand up for the United States. If you agree with Zelensky, then you want the war to continue and for people to keep dying and for more of Ukraine to be destroyed. If you stand for Ukraine, then you want our president to negotiate an end to the war. With Americans on the ground extracting Ukraine’s minerals, Russia will not break a peace treaty. So, choose war and death in Ukraine, or choose peace. Go demonstrate for peace, not Zelensky.
They began with the Budapest Memorandum of 1994 amid the illusion of the “end of history.” Ukraine yielded its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S., U.K. and Russia. Moscow explicitly promised to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and refrain from economic coercion.
Did you forget this?
Well said.
I’m going to say this as nice and politely as I can. Dictators, narcissist, control freaks, and just absolutely foul and cruel people have no business as the head of anything. i SLAY with Ukraine!!
Trump supporters are very good at regurgitating the Fox News talking points. Would be nice if they could think independently. Putin is the sole reason for Ukraine’s hardships, deaths and destruction. Rewarding him with the territory Russia has already illegally taken only ensures future war to stop his next aggression.
I plan to be there!!
How about the people in Gaza!!!
We’ll see how many show up. If 50 people show they will get front page coverage and call it a success.
What Happened to $300 + billion? Pray for the people of Ukraine! The government has been corrupt for years. Zelensky has become an oligarch!
Agrl2remember…..your reply is exactly what Carla is talking about. Emotion driven actions (and comments) don’t help anything. Slay???? Give me a break.
Trump is for peace. Cleaning up Biden’s mess.
Bob, thanks for organizing a respectful and meaningful show of support for fellow democracy-loving Ukrainians. Enjoyed all the horn honks of support! Here’s a short clip I recorded: https://youtu.be/6C9ds2eDwLA?si=ncg_luOMd075j-kx