Morristown Raises Ukraine Flag, Morris Township Illuminates Blue And Yellow

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Morristown and Morris Township continued expressing solidarity with Ukrainians. Morristown raised Ukraine's flag outside Town Hall, while Morris Township lit the outside of the Municipal Building blue and yellow — the Ukraine flag's colors.

"We keep them in our thoughts and prayers," said Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty, "and we hope this comes to a ceasefire and a resolution very quickly so they can get some semblance of peace and start to rebuild in Ukraine."

Along with the illumination, the Morris Township Committee condemned the Russian government's invasion of Ukraine in a resolution at Wednesday's meeting.

Russia's Feb. 24 invasion escalated an eight-year war that centered around Ukraine's government and separatists in the nation's Crimea and Donbas regions. More than 1,500 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, and more than 3 million have fled the country since Feb. 24, according to the Center for Preventive Action.

Dougherty previously urged the community to recognize "the bravery and courage of Ukraine" and to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.

"The Town of Morristown stands firm in our support of Ukraine and its people," Dougherty wrote earlier this month. "They have shown incredible resilience and strength in the wake of the invasion and humanitarian atrocities facing their nation."

An estimated 12,000 Ukrainians live in or around Morris County. Several local officials have expressed solidarity with Ukrainians since Russia's invasion. Madison leaders raised the Ukraine flag March 7 with three Ukrainian international students from Drew University. Read more: Morris Co. Town Flying Ukraine Flag For Next Month

Morris County's Board of County Commissioners issued a resolution March 8 expressing solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Read more: Morris County Declares Solidarity With Ukrainian People

Thanks for reading. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter and follow the Morristown Patch Facebook page.