The City of Covington demonstrated its solidarity with Ukraine by installing 12 Ukrainian flags along Main St. in MainStasse Village. Key speakers at the event were Covington Mayor Joe Meyer, Democratic Thomas Massie challenger Matt Lehman, and City Commissioner Shannon Smith, who has familial ties to Ukraine.
Smith installed the first flag while the city’s Public Works teams installed the other 11.
“We watch events unfold around the world without realizing how connected we are. And the war in Ukraine is one such example of how what happens over 5,000 miles away, and a fight for freedom and democracy resonates personally, right here in Covington,” Meyer said.
Smith told a heartfelt story about her family in Ukraine and how they were faring during the conflict.
“She wished she could be here. I spoke with her last night. She spoke with passion, but she fears for the safety of her family and friends. The first phone call she got, in the background, she could hear artillery shells,” Smith said. “One of her friend’s is actually in a skyscraper taking care of the disabled. They actually shut down her skyscraper. So every day, her daughter needs to get resources, not knowing when she’s going to come home, and leaves her wondering who’s gonna take care of her mother.”
Lehman, a challenger to incumbent KY4 Congressman Thomas Massie, lived in Kyiv, Ukraine for five years with his wife and children.
“I’m in contact with most of my colleagues, a lot of my great friends and I’ve lived there and I know they seem like small gestures to pay attention. My friend Yury last night was in a bomb shelter. He’s texting me. He loves America. He thanked us for our support,” Lehman said.
