Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell
On Monday, March 7, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced an executive order to support Ukrainian communities in Seattle and Ukraine. The order will direct city departments to take action to help communities affected by the unwarranted and violent Ukrainian invasion.
“Seattle stands with our Ukrainian neighbors, the immigrant community, and the Ukrainian people. Our hearts are broken for the innocent lives lost and irretrievably lost in this senseless military invasion. In the strongest terms, we condemn the Russian government’s Unprovoked aggression,” Harrell said. “One Seattle means a commitment to support our neighbors in need — and this executive order reflects the urgency of this moment and the leadership Seattle has to offer. The City of Seattle will continue to meet with Ukrainian community leaders and groups to listen and planned further actions during this particularly difficult time.”
Harrell met with Ukrainian Honorary Consul Valeriy Goloborodko and the local Ukrainian community on February 28 to reiterate Seattle’s support for Ukraine and discuss near- and long-term steps to stand with Ukraine.
The City of Seattle will take action to support the Ukrainian community, which may include, but is not limited to, legal, language, mental health and financial assistance for immigrants and refugees resettled in Seattle. This work will be led by the Seattle Office of Immigration and Refugee Affairs, with assistance from the Department of Human Services and the Office of Economic Development.
The city of Seattle will also take action to identify and terminate any contracts the city has with Russian state agencies or major corporations. This work will be led by the City Department of Finance and Administrative Services.
As the burden of the crisis does not fall only on the shoulders of the Ukrainian community, the order takes action to support all refugees affected by this crisis, including students and refugees of African, Asian and Middle Eastern origin living in Ukraine.
“With this executive order, the City of Seattle is responding to our Ukrainian community’s call for support and a commitment to action,” Mayor Harrell said. “To the Russians who protested this invasion despite the risk of arrest, imprisonment, or worse, we also stand with them against harassment, threats, or violence against Seattle’s peaceful Russian immigrant community.”
