I’ve been in text contact with my best friend from high school days as he and his wife have been sheltering in bomb shelters and helping in the fight against an invading army. He is in Ukraine with his Ukrainian wife, who has vowed to stay and fight. He in turn is staying to fight with her. In a text he asked to make Dnipro and Petaluma sister cities.

Dnipro is the city where my friend and his wife have their primary residence, and Petaluma is the town where I reside. 

In normal times, sister city status is developed over several years in an exchange of communication, resulting in the fostering of cultural learning, trade and tourism ties with the other municipality. However, in these dire times, this is impossible. By declaring Dnipro the sister city of Petaluma, we show our support of the people, culture and nation of the Ukraine, and acknowledge the unspeakable suffering they are experiencing now. 

Honoring his request, I sent a letter to the Petaluma city council and was met with a lukewarm reception. I am hoping this petition will allow the council to see that people want to support the people of Ukraine, if only in a symbolic manner.