Gathering for Ukraine attracts about 150 to WA state Capitol Campus
About 150-200 people gathered at the state Capitol Campus in Olympia on Sunday evening as the sun dropped behind the Capitol dome.
People spoke, sang and waved the flag of Ukraine to show support for the country and its people — residents who currently are either fleeing the country or are trying to defend it as Russia invades.
Ross Boylan of Olympia was one of those who attended.
“I just think it’s really terrifying seeing what’s happening with Ukraine,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of war in our lifetimes, but this is an example of a sovereign country invading another sovereign country without provocation. It’s really startling.”
The conflict is on his mind a lot, he added.
“It’s nice to come to something like this and be around other people who care and are worried about it,” Boylan said.
The event’s speakers included Olympia City Councilwoman Yen Huyhn, Washington state Commission on Judicial Conduct Executive Director Reiko Callner and Rabbi Seth Goldstein of downtown Olympia’s Temple Beth Hatfiloh.
Goldstein reflected on the refugees pouring out of Ukraine and how that mirrors the Jewish experience. He said a branch of his family is from the area.
“This is real,” he told those gathered. “This is an echo of history that is happening again in our lifetime.”
Members of the Olympia Peace Choir sang and the Artesian Rumble Arkestra played a tune. Fiddler Lisa Ornstein kicked things off with the national anthem of Ukraine.
Tiffany Preston of Olympia called the war agonizing and terrifying and said she was losing sleep thinking about it.
“I just came because I’m beyond terrified for everyone and I feel like we need to do more than what we’re doing, but I don’t know how we do that without the whole world joining in,” she said.
This story was originally published March 7, 2022 at 5:45 AM.
