Annapolis, MD—To show his support for the people of Ukraine as they fight for their country and their lives, Governor Larry Hogan held a solidarity vigil tonight at Lawyers Mall in Annapolis.
The Governor was joined by First Lady Yumi Hogan; Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ukraine Yaroslav Brisiuck; Lieutenant Governor Boyd K. Rutherford; Senate Speaker Bill Ferguson; House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones; the Reverend Dr. Volodymyr Steliac, pastor of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Silver Spring; and Rev. Vasyl Sivinskyi, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Baltimore.
(Watch the governor’s remarks)
In addition to speak out and strongly condemning Russian aggression, Governor Hogan took a series of steps to express Maryland’s strong support for Ukraine:
Over the weekend, the governor announced the end of Maryland’s sister state relationship with Russia’s Leningrad region, which was first established in 1993.
The governor ordered state agencies to review all contracts, purchases and equity interests that may have ties to Russian entities, and called on the board of directors of the Maryland state retirement and pension system to take immediate divestment action with respect to investments, securities, or holdings with Russian or Russian-affiliated entities.
On Monday, the governor also participated in a special prayer service at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Here are the Governor’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
We come together tonight to show our support for the brave people of Ukraine as they fight for their country, for their freedom and for their very lives.
It has now been a very long week since a full-scale military assault was launched against the Ukrainian people. This unprovoked aggression is a serious attack on the right of sovereign nations and free peoples to choose their own destiny. This goes to the very heart of our values as Americans and the values of freedom-loving people around the world.
The State of Maryland stands in solidarity with Ukraine and against this aggression by Putin, and we join the rest of the free world in viewing this attack for the evil that it is.
Tonight, as we lift up the people of Ukraine with our prayers, they lift us up with incredibly inspiring displays of courage and determination. In word and deed, they fight back with all they have.
So many incredible stories of heroism have emerged in recent days.
A man standing in front of an oncoming Russian military convoy. A Ukrainian marine blowing up a bridge and giving his own life to block the Russian advance on Kiev. A woman courageously and daringly confronting armed Russian soldiers. Civilians standing in front of tanks and armored vehicles.
President Zelensky said: “No one will break us. We are strong. We are Ukrainians.
We are all witnesses to the truth behind this commitment.
In the face of such pure evil, the people of Ukraine have proven themselves to be true heroes, showing the world what it means to stand up and fight for freedom, and reminding all of us that freedom and liberty are worth worth fighting and risking his life for.
In recent days, we have taken a series of steps to express our unwavering support for Ukraine. On Monday, I had the honor of being able to pray with the congregation of St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Baltimore City to let our Ukrainian community in Maryland know that we stand in solidarity with them, and we ended to the 30-year-old sister from Maryland. state relationship with the Leningrad region of Russia. I have ordered all state agencies to immediately review and terminate all contracts, purchases, and equity interests that may have links to Russian entities, and have called on the administrators of Russia’s retirement and pension system. State of Maryland to take immediate divestment action with respect to any investments, securities or interests in Russian or Russian-affiliated entities.
These measures are symbolic ways for us to send a loud and clear message to Russia that here in Maryland, we are on the side of peace and freedom.
It is truly inspiring and heartwarming to see you all here tonight, and people from across our state coming together in this spirit of togetherness. It has truly united the people of Maryland, the United States, and the world, including the tens of thousands of proud Ukrainian Americans who call our state home and eagerly await news of their loved ones.
Tonight we pray for them and their families, for all who are suffering and for the brave people of Ukraine, and we pray for peace.
Slava Ukraine.
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