Americans unite to show support for Ukraine as nation struggles with ongoing invasion by Russiawith crowds lined the streets in the Ukrainian Veselka restaurant in the East Village after the Russian invasion.
More than 100 New Yorkers joined a queue wrapped around the block in solidarity with Ukraine and the nearly 70-year-old restaurant.
“I am surprised by the crowds, but again I am not. It’s as if we’re everyone’s favorite living room, and I’m grateful and grateful for that, “said Jason Birchard, owner of Veselka.
“Many of our employees are Ukrainians. Everyone is up all night talking to family members. Some are so insane that they can’t even come to work. They are hanging by a thread, feeling so angry, upset and helpless, “added Birchard, who works 16 hours a day after the invasion.
New Yorkers are waiting in a long line at the Ukrainian snack bar Veselka to show solidarity after the invasion of Russia on February 25, 2022.
Pictured: New Yorkers wait in line for Ukrainian restaurant Veselka in the Lower East Side after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began last week
The mural facade in front of the Veselka restaurant on the Lower East Side, where more than 100 visitors could be seen lined up around the block in support of Ukrainians
A Ukrainian flag hangs in front of Veselka on Friday, February 25, 2022, in New York
People have dinner at the Rainbow, where the Ukrainian flag hangs in the East Village, Friday, February 25, 2022, in New York on the date of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Jason Birchard, pictured, Veselka’s owner, said he worked 16 hours at the restaurant after the raid
The restaurant, which opened in 1954 and was known for its 24-hour service before the COVID-19 pandemic, serves Ukrainian comfort food ranging from pies to borscht.
A client, a 29-year-old Ukrainian-born medical technician who gave his name only as Tanya, told New York Post that Veselka is “a very symbolic, special place.”
“My heart is always there. I try to support him as much as I can, “said Tanya, who came to the restaurant wrapped in a yellow and blue Ukrainian flag.
These colors have illuminated skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building, buildings and national monuments since Russia invaded last week.
Tanya added that her own family in Ukraine is currently “surrounded by many Russians and tanks.”
But fortunately the tanks ran out of fuel and the most serious bombing has stopped so far.
“But it was pretty bad,” she said. “My family is still hiding in basements, and the Russians were shooting at a kindergarten while the children were there and some died. My whole family is still in Ukraine, my parents, my brother, uncles, aunts and friends. “
The Empire State Building, left, and the State Educational Building, right, are the colors of the Ukrainian flag in New York
The Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge is lit in the colors of the Ukrainian flag in support of their efforts during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 27, 2022 in Washington, DC
A red light frames the Masonic National Memorial of George Washington, which is illuminated with blue and yellow lights in support of Ukraine, in Alexandria, Virginia on Saturday
Several hundred people take part in the “Stop the Bloodshed in Ukraine” rally on February 27, 2022 in Santa Monica, California
Another patron, identified only as Susan, added why she also felt compelled to dine in Rainbow in support of Ukrainians on Saturday.
“Tonight we came to Little Ukraine to do something, to show some support for the brave people of Ukraine,” she told the Post.
“My husband and I printed a dozen shirts with President Zelenski’s statement: ‘The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride. “
“It was a consolation to share them and listen to the stories of others who worry about family, friends and humanity. President Zelenski and his people are brave, fighting to live in peace and freedom. We pray that this will end quickly, with the outcome of peace and freedom for Ukraine, “she continued.
Meanwhile, protesters carrying placards and waving flags flooded the streets in front of the White House, as well as other major cities in the United States, and called on leaders to take action against Russia.
Pictured: The I-35W Bridge glows blue and yellow in support of the people of Ukraine in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on February 25, 2022.
Demonstrators during a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in front of the UN headquarters in New York on Monday, February 28, 2022.
Ukrainians and people gather around Lafayette Park in front of the White House in Washington to protest against Russia’s attacks on Ukraine on February 27, 2022.
Large crowds began to gather, both in Washington, in front of Rainbow, and across the country after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 25th.
The colors of the Ukrainian flag have illuminated skyscrapers and monuments across the country, including the Empire State Building, the State Educational Building, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, the Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge and others since Russia invaded last week.
“It’s been like this for days,” said a manager who works 16 hours a day after the invasion …
“We’re just trying to keep up,” Birchard said.
“Everyone is intervening. Managers work as cashiers and chefs work seven days a week.
Birchard added that the restaurant has always served as a gathering place for the Ukrainian community in New York, including everything from September 11, the Sandy Superstorm, the Orange Revolution of 2005 to Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014.