Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) condemned Russia for invading Ukraine. As Pope Francis said, “the threat of a global conflict spawned by Russia's invasion of Ukraine should convince everyone that the time has come for humanity to abolish war before it abolishes humanity”.

“A little over a month has passed since Putin invaded Ukraine and began a senseless war. This brutal war that Russia calls a "special military operation" to disarm Ukraine. The unjustified violence of Russia initiated a situation where brothers and sisters kill their own without even realizing it, parents lay to rest their children, and this is all because the powerful choose so. As state and local elected officials, we must acknowledge that we have little worldly power to stop Putin’s war crimes. But we can appeal to and unite with the moral conscience of our local communities to rise, together with that of local communities all over the world, in demanding and praying for the end of the horrific war crimes being committed in Ukraine,” Colton stated.

“We are not powerless morally or spiritually to make our consciences heard in support of the great people of Ukraine, as they continue their courageous fight for freedom against the powers of tyranny. Americans fought that same fight in the American Revolution. Let America and the moral strength of people all over the world now join in support of the people of Ukraine,” Colton continued.

 “IN THE NAME OF GOD, STOP THIS MASSACRE! (IN UKRAINE)” The above words are the words of Pope Francis, challenging the moral conscience of the world, as he prays for an end to the killing in Ukraine.