On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation, under Vladimir Putin's command, invaded the sovereign country of Ukraine. Since the start of war, Russia has committed numerous war crimes and atrocities, including but not limited to: intentionally bombing civilian centers, maternity and children’s hospitals, theaters, schools, refugee centers and corridors, railway station with civilian refugees, nuclear power plants, Ukrainian refugee corridors; ordering soldiers to open fire on civilians; torturing, raping, and brutally murdering civilian men, women and children in Bucha, Irpin', Mariupol, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and many other cities and villages.  The invasion has triggered the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

The City of Philadelphia recognizes its diverse immigrant groups by displaying their countries’ flags on the Ben Franklin Parkway. We believe that given Russia’s actions, its official flag represents the mass murders and mass destruction of Ukraine and Ukrainian people. Under this flag, the Russian army invaded Ukraine and violated countless laws of humanity and the free world. We sign this petition to ask Jim Kenney, the Mayor of Philadelphia, to immediately remove the flag of the Russian Federation from the Ben Franklin Parkway.

As Americans with various heritages and backgrounds, we wholeheartedly support Ukraine and its people, and stand against Russia’s decision to start this unprovoked war. We don’t want the Russian flag displayed on a central street of Philadelphia, which is home to liberty and independence of the American nation. We recognize that the purpose of the flag is to represent the Russian immigrant community of Philadelphia, but cannot support the flag being flown for what it currently represents.  We are hopeful it can change once the war ends and the regime changes.

UPDATE: Additionally, we are asking the Mayor to sever ties with a Russian "sister city" Nizhny Novgorod. The purpose of sister city organizations is to promote peace through people-to-people relationships - varying greatly from cultural exchange programs to shared research and development projects between cities with relationships.  Nizhny Novgorod's policies and activities support Russia's aggressive war in Ukraine. Philadelphia, as a birthplace for freedom and a "city of brotherly love", should not have a sister city relationship with this Russian city.

Undersigned, the residents of Philadelphia and Greater Philadelphia area