Demonstrators Gather On Village Green In Support Of Ukraine
More than 30 people gathered on the Falmouth Village Green Wednesday evening for a showing of solidarity with Ukraine in the wake of Russian attacks.
The event was put together just the day before by faith leaders in Falmouth. The Reverend Nell Fields of Waquoit Congregational Church, the Reverend William H. Mebane of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, and the Reverend Christina Williams of North Falmouth Congregational Church were among those present at the event.
“I was really pleased with the turnout because this was kind of last-minute, but I also know that there are a lot of people in Falmouth that have a heart for peace and a heart for Ukraine,” Ms. Fields said. “[This] gave us an opportunity just to stand out and tell people that we’re all connected and we’re all in this together.”
Around 5 PM, demonstrators populated the western end of the Village Green waving the Ukrainian flag and holding handmade signs bearing messages like “End War,” “Stand With Ukraine For Peace,” and “Putin Go Home.”
“We are here this evening to remind ourselves and remind the world out there that we are all interconnected,” Ms. Fields said to the crowd at the start of the ceremony. “What is happening in Ukraine is happening to us. We are gathering for peace because we believe that this crazy thing [called] peace is possible. It happens with each one of us; it’s about showing up.”
Some of the demonstrators had a personal connection to the cause. Day and Kathie Mount’s daughter and son-in-law, a Foreign Service officer, had been living in Ukraine and were forced to evacuate. Others, like Meghan Hanawalt, had no connection to Ukraine at all and were simply there to show support for the cause.
“I’m committed to an equitable world and what Russia is doing is not just or equitable, so I’m going to stand up for the Ukrainians,” she said.
Olivia White, a member of the No Place For Hate Falmouth Steering Committee, said that she came to the demonstration as an individual to represent her own beliefs and values.
“For me, peace is so important and my heart goes out every time I see pictures of people in the cold, snowy weather and what’s happening in Ukraine,” Ms. White said. “I feel like the least I can do is come out here and say my prayer for them.”
Ms. Williams said that she was initially moved by what she saw on social media, and when Ms. Fields came to her with the idea for the demonstration, she agreed immediately.
“I knew exactly what she wanted to do, [which was] come out here and do a good job,” she said. “I just think this is so important right now to offer prayers for peace for these people, and for us and the leaders and all of the people in between, who are stuck in the middle of conflict.”
After some brief introductions, demonstrators gathered in a circle, reading from slips of paper as each one said the word “peace” aloud in a different language. This was followed by a moment of silence and interfaith prayer.
Ms. Fields addressed the demonstrators again, evoking an iteration of the powerful words from the song “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” written by Pete Seeger.
“Where have all the flowers gone? Gone to maidens and to men, to soldiers and to graveyards. And where have all the graveyards gone? They’re gone to flowers… When will we ever learn?”
In an interview later, Ms. Fields said that she thinks it is important to show solidarity with Ukraine and stand against the Russian invasion, even if it is happening thousands of miles away.
“We might think we’re in Falmouth, we’re in Cape Cod and it doesn’t matter,” she said. “It absolutely does matter, because what’s next? You can’t let the bullies win. It doesn’t matter if it’s not in our backyard, we have to tell the world that we care.”
Some people have doubts about the efficacy of doing a small-scale demonstration like this, and Ms. Fields is aware of that. But to her, demonstrations like Wednesday’s showing of solidarity with Ukraine absolutely do make a difference.
“It does [matter] because every time I stand out here, I might not change the world but I’m making sure the world doesn’t change me,” she said. “That’s why we do it.”