County courthouse turning blue and yellow in solidarity for Ukraine
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (March 3, 2022) – The Tuscarawas County Courthouse will be illuminated in the colors of the Ukrainian flag this weekend in support of those whose lives have been upended by the Russian invasion.
The county commissioners ordered the blue and yellow light display which will begin at sundown Friday and continue each night through Sunday. Board President Chris Abbuhl says it’s to stress the importance of Ukraine’s ongoing fight to retain its freedom.
“Freedom is important to us, and I think it is important to a lot of people around the world. This was an unprovoked attack on their country, and I think we need to reflect and understand that we are very fortunate to be in the part of the world that we are.”
He says they would keep it going longer but have already committed to using the lights to highlight other causes including Developmental Disabilities Month here in March.
“Our courthouse is on a specific timer throughout the year. Now, whether we do anything different in the future, then we may be able to do that also and extend it but at this time we were just specifically designating Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”
Abbuhl hopes community members think about the people of Ukraine and the hardships they’re facing when they see these lights.
“When you’re talking about hundreds of thousands of people that are being displaced and their homes are being destroyed, their way of life is never gonna the same so you’re gotta feel for those individuals that are going through all of this devastation.”
He also encourages residents to consider making a donation to one of the humanitarian organizations providing relief to the nation’s refugees.