San Diego May Be Known for Its Annual Green Festival, but This Year Had a Distinctly Different Color Scheme.
With the war in Ukraine poised to enter its third week and Russia showing no signs of deescalating, San Diego showed up on Saturday to show solidarity with the besieged Eastern European nation.
What's usually a joyous affair (and the largest St. Patrick's Day Festival west of the Missisippi River) had a somber tone this year.
Demonstrators sang Ukrainian songs and held signs that read "No to Putin," "Lend-Lease for Ukraine," and "Protect the Sky," among other slogans. The latter in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for NATO to enforce a No-Fly Zone over Ukraine. Thus far, that has been ruled out by the United States and other major NATO nations.
California's Ties to Ukraine
According to the House of Ukraine in Balboa Park, San Diego is home to approximately 10,000 residents of Ukrainian decent.
Currently, that community is mobilized for action. The House of Ukraine is accepting donations for a myriad of items they hope to get to their home country. San Diegans of all stripes are encouraged to provide for the cause.
In addition to financial donations and cryptocurrencies, the House of Ukraine is accepting non-financial donations at St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Spring Valley. The following items are of the highest priority.
1.High priority donations:
– military supplies (helmets 3A, kevlar vests protection standard IV, kevlar plates, monoculars with a magnetic arrow, thermal imagers, boots, knee pads, gloves, military clothes)
– military aid kits and medicines (QuickClot, First Aid Esmarch Medical Tourniquet Rubber, thermal blankets, hemostatic drugs, blood transfusion systems)
– thermal underwear: men’s underwear, warm socks
– NO MORE DIAPERS NEEDED at this time
2. Other humanitarian supplies:
– medical supplies (Theraflu, any painkillers, Gelofusine, dressing bags, needles №20,10, catheters, Iodine Antiseptic Liquid, antiseptics, needles КВ-3, Sets for measuring central venous pressure, infusions of Sodium Chloride, drip systems etc.)
In addition to donations, they are requesting that all San Diegans contact their representatives or the United States Department of State to request that NATO implement and enforce a No-Fly Zone over Ukraine.
California is also home to 6 Ukrainian sister cities who have similarly rallied to support relief efforts.