Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced on Friday, along with Buffalo Common Council President Darius Pridgen, that Niagara Square has been temporarily re-designated as the “Ukraine Freedom Square.”
This the latest demonstration of Buffalo's support for the Ukrainian people and government in their fight to hold off the attacks and advancements on their nation’s sovereignty by Russia and their President Vladimir Putin.
The city also unveiled official signs to commemorate the re-designation that will be put up later this week.
“The people of Buffalo continue to stand with the people of Ukraine in their fight to preserve democratic rule and their national sovereignty," said Mayor Brown in a statement on Friday. "Because of the relentless effort of the Ukrainian men and women who have resisted the Russian military, the City of Kyiv remains the capital of an independent Ukraine and the Russian military’s attempt at a swift conquest has stalled out. So, it is fitting that we honor them and their struggle for freedom against oppression by designating Niagara Square as ‘Ukraine Freedom Square’.”
“My heart goes out to the innocent victims of this unfounded and unnecessary war, including the families and children who have been killed and injured, or who are fleeing their homeland to escape Russia’s unprovoked attack," added Councilman Pridgen in a statement. "The City of Buffalo’s actions today show that we support the nation of Ukraine and its people in their fight against foreign invaders to keep the sovereignty of their nation.”
It was also announced on Friday the City of Buffalo, at the request of the Ukrainian General Consulate, is officially suspending its “Sister City” relationship with the Russian Federation City of Tver.
Buffalo and Tver became sister cities in 1989 and have engaged in several cultural exchanges. The suspension of this relationship stipulates that sister city relations would return to normal once hostilities in Ukraine come to an end and Russian military forces withdraw, leaving the democratically elected Ukrainian government in place.
Over the last month, the Administration — in partnership with Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and others — has also donated 200,000 surgical masks, raised the Ukrainian flag in Niagara Square, and written the Biden Administration to demonstrate the city's willingness to host war refugees.
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