By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
The Town of Cobourg is looking for a Ukrainian flag to fly in solidarity with the people of that country who are under brutal attack from Russia – and Mayor John Henderson said that the fact that they can’t find one yet shows many others have the same idea.
“Good news,” Henderson said – “but we hope to purchase one to fly at Victoria Hall during these unprecedented times.
“Our wishes and our heartfelt thoughts go out to those living in Ukraine, to those living in Canada and our community and wherever you may be,” he stated.
Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin will approach a former colleague from Brockville who managed to get a couple of Ukrainian flags to see if she can get an extra one for Cobourg.
Councillor Nicole Beatty noted that the owners of Port Hope-based Northumberland Goods and Services have family connections in Ukraine. They have set up a GoFundMe page, Northumberland for Ukraine, in support of the services Red Cross is providing.
Acknowledging the humanitarian crisis the Russian invasion has created, Councillor Emily Chorley added that the situation in Afghanistan is also causing distress to many whose family members are in danger from the Taliban.
Chorley recalled the moving vigil in Victoria Park members of council attended last summer when the Taliban took over the country, and the effect it had on the Popal family of Cobourg. They are currently doing their best to raise money for their own family members in hiding, to bring them to safety.
“I know there’s so much generosity in our community. I have seen that in response to the Syrian crisis and the Syrian refugees that were coming to Cobourg,” Chorley said, referring to another crisis of a few years back.
