In the ‘Little Ukraine’ in the East Village, in Manhattan, the young Guatemalan Alberto Catú, who works as a ‘delivery man’ for several restaurants on Second Avenue, observed this Friday sadness on the faces of many of the neighbors and business owners in that neighborhood.
While he was making his deliveries, around noon, many received tragic news of the progress of the Russian attacks on Ukraine for the third day in a row.
“One finds out on the internet about what is happening in that country. There is a war! And really this community of Europeans is very friendly. Although we do not understand each other through the language, they always have a smile. But now they look very different”, said Alberto, who is barely two years old in the Big Apple.
The deliverer Alberto Catú has witnessed the sadness in some clients and merchants of the Big Apple ( Photo: F. Martínez)
What the Central American describes happens in New York towns that are the heart of the largest Ukrainian immigrant community in the country, which took root in the Big Apple fleeing World War II. Now they live martyrdom again at a distance from a new war conflict.
Merchants and residents of the little Ukraine in the East Village in Manhattan suffer from the uncertainty of a war that has already reached the civilian population. (Photo: F. Martínez)
Everything is getting worse
Another delivery man, Salvadoran Miguel Zabala, commented that I was taking some products to a lady on 4th Street and she was disconsolate.
“I have always taken orders to the lady, but I didn’t know that she was from that country where that war broke out. But today I understood that she was Ukrainian. And that everything was getting worse”, commented the immigrant.
Miguel believes that somehow everyone “arrives here”, fleeing from a conflict.
“I came here to New York in the eighties, fleeing from a civil war. And from here I have had to suffer many things that continue to happen there, that’s why I understand these people. Every day I think that despite the cold and hardship, it is a blessing to be here”, shares the Central American from 45 years.
Until 1 in the afternoon the television and digital media of New York, crossed information of “terror”, of what was happening in Ukraine, and in a warehouse from Avenue A, Lower Manhattan, the Puerto Rican Javier Idrogo, from 80 years, I already had some accounts.
“There are already more than 130 dead and 300 wounded. And this is just beginning!” the islander said sadly.
Ukrainian flags raised as a sign of solidarity and pain are displayed on several streets in NYC. (Photo: F. Martínez)
Again a war!
It was the afternoon and around 2: pm, when Ukrainian soldiers were known to defend themselves of Russian fire and it transpired that civilians were already the target of attacks in Kiev, the capital of that European country, a client of the J. Baczynnsky butcher shop, located on Second Avenue with 9th Street, only had breath for a comment: From again a war, part of my family is in the capital!
Almost at the same time, inside the National House of Ukraine, also in the East Village, business, religious and community leaders, Accompanied by elected leaders from Manhattan, they analyzed the pain of distance and in real time, the outpost of terror that this country is experiencing.
There, Phillip Karber, president of the Potomac Foundation, a recognized authority on defense and national security matters, who has visited the former Soviet republic 36 times in the last eight years, coldly telling hundreds of immigrants the risks that are just beginning with this invasion.
Beyond the details of a military action of fire and blood that happens to 4,900 miles, the authorities and elected leaders of New York are not indifferent to the scenarios that are to come. And that Karber saw with great concern.
Elected and community leaders closely follow the Russian escalation from the Ukrainian National House on Second Avenue in Manhattan. (Photo: F. Martínez)
It is also a problem in NY
The councilwoman of Puerto Rican origin Carlina Rivera, who represents District 2, which includes Little Ukraine, joined this act of solidarity, warning that the Big Apple “feels this aggression as its own.”
“For years I have known closely this community and its ability to overcome difficulties. His generosity and his great contribution to our city. Today we are on his side, with our hearts in a thousand pieces, trying to understand how this level of evil can exist against a people in these times,” said an emotional Rivera.
Meanwhile, the president of Manhattan County, Marc Levine, proclaimed that the tragedy of this Eastern European nation is also a crisis for New Yorkers.
“For decades we have been the refuge of thousands of citizens who have fled of totalitarian governments. Here we offer all the possible support for you and your family”.
Levine urged New York City and the rest of the country to take in asylum seekers from Ukraine, as that the conflict continues to worsen and the actions of the Russian army are closely followed.
In effect, the governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, stated that she is ready to receive the Ukrainian refugees.
“Our prayers are with the Ukrainian people, including those in New York who fear for their family and loved ones. Just as the Statue of Liberty stands in our port, we are ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees.
The state president stressed that they remain committed to the Biden Administration to accept and support in everything necessary to support the thousands of people affected by this occupation.
In response to the current crisis, the governor of the state of New York, Kathy Hochul, issued a statement “giving the welcome Ukrainian refugees” to the shores of New York.
Likewise, Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) asserted that the United States “can and should do more” than witness the tragedy.
“Washington can begin with an immediate designation of 17 months of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) and Special Student Relief (SSR) for approximately 27, eligible Ukrainians in the US”, Awawdeh pointed out.
The NYIC assured that it is ready “to support the efforts of Governor Hochul and work with our members to ensure that all immigrants can thrive in our state.”
Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Adams reacted this Friday to local media: “Everything that happens in the world affects the streets of New York in some way, and this is the home of the largest Ukrainian population in the United States and our city is with them. This unprovoked and unjustified invasion of their homeland is an assault on freedom”.
Already in the last few hours Ukrainian organizations living in New York joined in rallies in Times Square and in the East Village, demanding that Russian President Wladimir Putin cease his military actions under the cry Stop Putin!
In addition, the Ukrainian community in New York has launched a fundraising campaign to provide humanitarian aid to people in that country affected by war. Funds will support the purchase of medical kits and other essentials.
NY lights up blue and yellow
Governor Hochul announced that several points in the state of New York will light up blue and yellow from this Friday to Sunday 27 February, in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
“We stand in solidarity with those who fear for their family and loved ones, and our prayers are with the innocent victims as they fight to maintain their freedom as a people and a sovereign nation” . Landmarks that will be illuminated in solidarity with the people of Ukraine include:
One World Trade Center
Mario M. Cuomo Governor Bridge2740898Kosciuszko Bridge
