Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced a gun drive for Ukrainian citizens fighting for their lives against Russian forces. Blakeman was joined by Commissioner of Police, Patrick Ryder, Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry US Representative, Misha Migdal, Volodymyr Tsyalkovsky of Ukrainians of Long Island, and owner of SP Firearms, Jerry Sperduto, in Franklin Square.
Repeatedly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his citizens are in dire need of weapons to protect themselves from Russian forces invading their nation.
Brian Valenza, a military veteran, of the Long Island Chaplin’s task force also presented a check in the amount of $25,000.00 to Jerry Sperduto of SP Firearms to be used for this purpose.
County Executive Blakeman said “Just watching the Ukrainian residents making Molotov cocktails in a brewery out of beer bottles shows they’re in a desperate flight and we can’t stand by and do nothing” Blakeman continued, “As President Zelensky said: he doesn’t need a ride, he needs weapons.”
“We are doing our job here in Nassau County, I am asking President Biden to do his job and help get these weapons to Ukraine immediately to those who desperately need them” Blakeman Concluded
Misha Migdal said “These people fighting there, they are not just fighting for their lives, what they are fighting for probably resonates with every normal American, they are fighting for their freedom, fighting to exist. Fighting to exist as free people, in their own country, under their own will.” He continued. “I don’t know what else has to happen. I don’t know what the world has to see, what else has to happen for people to feel feelings. All they want is Freedom.” Misha Migdal concluded.
Volodymyr Tsyalkovsky of UALI said “The People of Ukraine feel and appreciate the support we are giving them. We as a community, a small local organization on Long Island are trying our best to help them. The organized rallies, the 100% support initiative of the County Executive to arm the Ukrainian Army.”
