As Putin invades, Sacramento must stand with Ukraine and our proud immigrant communities
An extraordinary and dark day has begun in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin started his assault on a budding republic in eastern Europe, proceeding with an act of war felt around the world. The echoes of explosions from his self-described “special military operation” bounced off the city streets of the capital city, Kyiv, signaling the start of what could be a bloody campaign for the sovereignty of a democratic nation.
Our hearts were heavy Wednesday night as we imagined the emotions washing over the Ukrainian people. Their only crime was being located adjacent to a twisted despot who believes the past Russian empire can be revived. Putin’s unprovoked authoritarian campaign has been waged through lies, propaganda and now military escalation.
Supporters of democracy everywhere must stand with the people of Ukraine.
Sacramento is home to at least 70,000 immigrants from the former Soviet Union, the vast majority from Ukraine. Our communities are stronger because of them, and certainly this moment is fraught with deeper significance and sentiments that will become clearer in the coming days. Their loved ones are in danger at this moment, and for as long as Putin’s reckless tyranny is allowed to stand.
The Sacramento region has long prided itself on welcoming refugees and immigrants, and embracing our nation-leading diversity as a defining characteristic. The former Soviet Union diaspora in our communities now needs our support and our understanding.
We owe it to them to be good neighbors, especially now. We owe it to our country’s ideals to remain resolute against Putin’s antidemocratic aggression.
This war that Putin is waging under false pretenses is unnerving enough. But we also must clearly see and oppose those voices of Americans cheering Putin now. They are led by former President Donald Trump and talking heads on Fox News who admire Putin and view their political opponents as enemies. These are autocratic beliefs, not patriotism.
These are dangerous, disorienting times. We must be vigilant and stewards of the type of democracy that Ukraine aspired to. We can’t suddenly choose aggression over our ideals. We can’t choose a Russian dictator over an American president. We can’t forget those Sacramentans among us who will remember Feb. 23, 2022, as the day they felt attacked by Putin — despite living in the capital of California.
In a way, Putin attacked all of us. Now — especially now — we must see Putin for who he is and oppose him without equivocation.
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This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 5:00 AM.