A solemn ceremony was held at Milwaukee City Hall to raise the flag as a sign of solidarity with Irpin, a sister city of Milwaukee. Organized by Wisconsin Ukrainians in conjunction with city officials, the event kicked off a two-week period during which the flag will be displayed in the historic rotunda of City Hall in honor of Ukraine's Independence Day, as reported by Milwaukee Independent.
This was reported by Milwaukee Independent.
The ceremony included speeches by city officials, Ukrainian-American leaders, and community representatives who emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine during the war.
"We gather to honor a symbol that embodies our history, identity, and unbreakable will," said Serhiy Kaledov, Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson emphasized the city's pride in the Ukrainian community and stated that Milwaukee continues to support Ukraine and Irpin in their fight against Russian aggression.
"The city of Milwaukee has stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine since the beginning of Vladimir Putin's war. And we still stand together,” Johnson said.
During the ceremony, Johnson announced a proclamation in honor of Ukraine's Independence Day, confirming his support for the country's sovereignty, democratic values, and cultural heritage.
In turn, Anya Verkhovska, president of the Milwaukee-based humanitarian nonprofit organization Friends of Be an Angel, called on the community to get involved.
"Don't underestimate the power of your individual actions. When we come together, we create a wave of change."
A key moment during the event was Darryl Morin of Advanced Wireless announcing the completion of the installation of 840 secure Wi-Fi hotspots in Irpin's schools, hospitals, and government institutions. This provides connectivity even during rocket and drone attacks. “Your fight is our fight,” Morin emphasized. Headquartered in Franklin, Wisconsin, Advanced Wireless is a provider of world-class mobile computing and wired and wireless networking solutions with customers in 18 countries.
Other speakers included local priest Igor Darmograi, who expressed his hope that the flag would become a symbol of healing and unity, and City Council member Peter Burgelis, who assured attendees that Milwaukee is always ready to respond to calls for help from its Ukrainian friends.
Galina Salapata, president of Wisconsin Ukrainians, reminded everyone that according to the Ukrainian Constitution, no territorial concessions can be made to the occupiers. Interfaith Conference Executive Director Ahmed Kureshi drew parallels between the situation in Ukraine and the lessons of World War II, stressing that aggression must never be condoned.
Roberta S. Clark, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, emphasized that Ukraine's struggle for survival is a moral issue the world cannot ignore.
Notably, the flag will remain at City Hall as a symbol of Milwaukee's continued support for Irpin and the Ukrainian people.
Background
Milwaukee and Irpin became sister cities in March 2018. Following Russia's full-scale invasion, Milwaukee organized a fundraiser for Irpin, and the community held numerous rallies in support of Ukraine. In the early days of the war, Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn personally defended the city, stopping the advance of Russian troops and preventing them from crossing the Irpin River. The cities' cooperation includes providing humanitarian aid, facilitating cultural exchanges, and restoring infrastructure, including installing Wi-Fi systems in critical Irpin facilities.
In recent years, Wisconsin Ukrainians, Inc. has supplied medical supplies, generators, food, and assistance to refugees in Wisconsin. The organization has also held cultural and educational events to raise awareness about the war.
Author: Danylo Pievchev