We Stand in Solidarity with those Ukrainians Defending their Democracy

By Ann Toback, CEO, Workers Circle

We are witnessing in real time the terror that has descended over Ukraine and its people, as an authoritarian ruler marches on its young democracy. Seeing this destabilization of Eastern Europe with its historic Jewish cities once again under fire at the same time as we are seeing the United States democracy under attack, is frightening. This violence, with its echoes of the terrifying past, is overwhelming to us all.

We must never forget that we are not powerless to change our world. Always remember that our community stands on the shoulders of great resisters, women and men who fought through the darkest of times; people who defended our Ukrainian communities against pogroms; people who organized resistance in the ghettos of Eastern Europe; and people who organized unions on the Lower East Side.

Our founders came to the United States seeking a democracy where their voices mattered, and for over a century we have built on their commitment to protect and grow our democracy. From the thousands of our founding members who joined the ranks of the suffragettes fighting for the right of women to vote to the Workers Circle activists who marched shoulder to shoulder with Black Americans for civil rights to our work today fighting for the passage of federal legislation to protect every American’s right to vote and the integrity of our elections.

This is a moment when we are all called on to take action for critical world change. Today our community can act to save our democracy and to ensure that the United States remains a beacon of freedom in the world. To make sure our elections are free and protected for all so that everyone has a voice in our governance. When we strengthen democracy here, we strengthen it everywhere.