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Stand with Ukraine! The brave courageous citizens of Ukraine are fighting for their country, their freedom and democracy. Ukranians, a free people, are not giving up their land or their liberty to Putin, a Goliath bully. As President Zelenskyy said, "We will not give up. We will fight in the forests, in the fields, on the shores and in the streets." These words were an echo of words used by Winston Churchill as England entered WWII to stop Hitler. Thank goodness, Churchill said, "We will never surrender." Our world could have been very different.
The free countries of the world have condemned Putin's invasion of Ukraine. President Biden has been working since he took office, to repair America's relationships with its allies.
Biden's success is being demonstrated as the NATO countries come together to provide military aid, humanitarian aid and support for Ukraine. Countries, companies and the people of the world are using sanctions, isolation and actions to support the Ukrainian citizens. People are showing support for Ukraine by demonstrating, protesting, donating and sharing on social media. This show of solidarity in support of a free country being attacked by an authoritarian bully has not been seen since WWII.
As a retired history teacher, I know there are ways for a country's democracy to be threatened. An example of an external threat is evident today with present-day Ukraine. Putin is leading an unprovoked Russian invasion to seize power and dismantle the democracy of Ukraine. An example of an internal threat took place in 1933 with the rise of the Nazi Party in the democratic state of Germany. Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933 and elected president in 1934. Within a year, Hitler and the Nazi Party dissolved the democracy and created a dictatorship. Politicians, citizens and the world stood by silently as he changed laws, defied institutions, condemned the media, disregarded the truth and pitted people against each other.
Living in a democracy, a free country, takes work. A democracy cannot survive without politicians and government institutions being vigilant of world events and threats. A democracy's survival depends on all citizens having an unobstructed right to vote. A democracy can only survive if citizens educate themselves about the people they choose to elect. Together we can protect democracy in America and in the world.
Betsy Cook
Lowell