 All right, is that the right point? Everyone, welcome to Bowling Green, the most historic place in New York City and one of the most historic places in our nation. Council General Olesky, Halubov, Mayor Adams, members of the Ukrainian community in New York City, and everyone, and those watching online. We are here today at Bowling Green, where New York City was founded long ago, to both celebrate Ukraine's flag day, which is today, and Ukraine's independence day, which is tomorrow. In doing so, most of all, we are here to support Ukraine. And to do so by flying Ukraine's flag here again and again, until victory over the Russian invaders is achieved and complete. Six months ago, this current invasion began. Five months ago today, on March 23rd, we first gathered here with Mayor Adams and the Council General to raise Ukrainian's flag high over New York City to fly besides our American flag. Since March 23rd, with the support of Mayor Adams, the Ukrainian flag has flown here at Bowling Green much of the time these last five months. And the Ukrainian flag has already flown here more than any other flag other than our American flag. This Ukrainian flag, I would like to ask Ukrainian author Zugolov, who has been here many times, to lead demonstrations to take this flag and bring it over to the pole and hook it so that we can raise it in a few minutes. That record of raising and flying the Ukrainian flag will only increase in the coming months. And it will keep doing so until President Zelensky himself can come to Bowling Green to declare victory and raise Ukrainian flag himself. It's now my great pleasure to introduce Ukraine's Council General in New York, the Honorable Olesky Halyubov. Good afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Piccolo. Your Excellency, Mayor Adams, distinguished representatives of the New York Administration, ladies and gentlemen, Dora Okrainska-Hromada. This year's celebration of the most important Ukrainian public holidays, the day of the national flag of Ukraine and the 31st anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine's independence coincides with the sad six-month period since the beginning of the full-scale war of aggression Russia brought to our land. Aggression, our fearless defenders, heroically fight back, countering attacks of Russia's barbarians and defending, often at the cost of their lives, our land, freedom and Ukraine's independence, as well as democratic values and peace in Europe. Our state flag, state coat of arms and state anthem, long recognized by the world, have today become more powerful symbols of Ukraine's statehood and the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people, thus strengthening faith in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the inevitable victory, our common victory over the enemy. Every year, just before Independence Day, the Ukrainian people pay tribute to one of their most important symbols of the statehood, the Ukrainian national flag. Our blue and yellow flag was proudly present in many places. It was brought to the parliament on the day of the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine. It was in space together with Ukrainian astronaut Leonid Kadynuk, at the North Pole with our polar explorers. It conquered Everest, it triumphantly rose about the flags of other countries at the Olympic Games in many cities of the world. The blue and yellow colors were on the uniform, armor, and near the hearts of Ukrainian defenders when they liberated the Kyiv region, Chernihiv region, Sumy region, and our other Ukrainian regions occupied temporarily by Russian terrorist army in March 2022. And we are absolutely confident our flags will fly again and forever in all temporarily occupied cities and villages of Ukraine. And for sure, over liberated Crimea, together with beautiful Crimean-Tatar flags. Today, with our partners and friends, we are raising our flag once again, as we did already last March, jointly with the flag of the United States in solidarity with my country. And this bright and emotional action shows clearly there is no fatigue among our friends and partners over the war in Ukraine. Quite the contrary, we see and feel growing support in standing with Ukraine. And we are grateful to all our dedicated partners for help provided to my country in all fears needed, political, financial, humanitarian, that remains critical to millions of Ukrainians and affected by ongoing war. In cutting business ties and tightening sanctions against aggressor state and many, many others. As well as for warm hospitality offered to our displaced compatriots, both in European countries and in the United States, including here in New York, the most Ukrainian city of America. And certainly for military aid. Since today, we Ukrainians are fighting for the future of our children and grandchildren. For their lives and opportunity to build a new Ukraine. I wanted to paraphrase the words of one eminent person who was born in Kiev many years ago. Golda Mayer, Israel's prime minister, could have described our current dilemma when she said, if Israel's, in our case, Ukraine's, enemies put down their weapons, we would have peace. But if Ukraine put down our weapons, our enemies would decimate us. So we have no choice but to fight for our survival. And I'd like to use this opportunity to cordially thank the United States for the support rendered to my country and the leading role played by the U.S. in strengthening international solidarity with Ukraine. We're grateful for your assistance, partnership and friendship. We feel on all the levels starting from the highest federal one, through states and cities, to small communities and individuals. Those willingness, whose willingness to support comes from their hearts. Here I wish to particularly thank the New York City for the support and for dedication of the team of Mayor Adams in solidarity with Ukraine and for getting stuff done. Congratulating all of us as we are all Ukrainians today with the National Flag Day and Independence Day of Ukraine, I'd like to also thank the Ukrainian community in America for their unwavering support of the motherland, their contribution to strengthening partnership, solidarity with Ukraine of all civilized countries of the world. First of all, the U.S. We wish you all a peaceful sky and the sooner victory, our common victory that we all strive for, work for and pray. Happy Independence Day, dear Ukrainians. Ukrainians by soil, Ukrainians by blood, and Ukrainians by choice. Let us soon be able to celebrate our country not only by beginning, let us unite in unwavering faith in our common victory, let us protect Ukraine's independence and sovereignty with our unwavering faith and our common victory. Glory to the unwavering Ukrainian people. God bless America and glory to Ukraine. I thank you. Thank you very much, Council General. Now I'd like to introduce someone who and his agency has become partners with Bowling Green Association for many of these flag raisings under the leadership of Mayor Adams. Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, Commissioner Manuel Castro. Thank you so much, Arthur, and thank you so much to the Bowling Green Association for this great partnership that allows us to uplift our immigrant communities in New York. I am proud to be here to celebrate Ukrainian's independence, but I'm also proud to have been for the last several months been working with Ukrainian community here in New York. Assistant Ukrainian New Yorkers apply for much needed temporary protective status, which allows Ukrainians to remain here, access work permits and legal status in the United States and also support Ukrainian families bring their loved ones from abroad to New York. Over 10,000 Ukrainians have applied for the Uniting for Ukraine program and in New York we are here ready to support you and your families come to New York and be with your loved ones through this crisis. So again, thank you so much to the community for your partnership and we look forward to continuing to work with you and support Ukraine through these difficult moments. Thank you so much. Thank you, Commissioner Castro. Now I would like to introduce Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine to say a few words. Thank you, Arturo. Vita Yu. I am thrilled to be here with my dear friend, Consul General Alexei Hubalov. It's great to see you, Mr. Consul General. And it's really wonderful that Mayor Adams is here. He's been steadfast supporter of the Ukrainian community from day one. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Boy, this is a really complicated mix of emotions today as we mark a joyous occasion, flag day and a dependence day for Ukraine. But as we also mark six painful months of this reprehensible war that Russia is waging on the innocent people of Ukraine. Ukraine is not a new country. Ukraine has a 1,000-year history, an incredibly rich history. It's been really one of the epicenters of culture for Europe of first centuries. But Ukraine in the current form is still relatively young, 31 years marking as a free independent country since it gained independence from the Soviet Union. And that independence is fragile, as we have learned painfully over the last six months. That independence cannot be taken, can never be taken for granted. And I want you to know that New York City has experienced this reprehensible war very personally because we have the largest Ukrainian community in America in New York City. So there's so many deep family ties between the families of New York City and the families who are in harm's way in Ukraine. And of course for me in Manhattan, the most famous, the most storied Ukrainian neighborhood anywhere in America is in the East Village, Little Ukraine. So we have a special relationship. And I have been really inspired by the way the Ukrainian community has come together during this crisis. You have so many phenomenal leaders, including my great friend Andrei Dubryansky, who's been leading with distinction for Ukrainians in Manhattan and New York City. And I want you to know that we are in it for the long haul. As long as this terrible war lasts, we are going to continue to support Ukraine, to support Ukrainian New Yorkers, to support refugees that arrive here as long as it takes. If Vladimir Putin is counting on outlasting us, he is in for a rude surprise. There is no outlasting New Yorkers or Americans or Ukrainians in this fight. We are going to stand with you as long as it takes. Today I'm thrilled we can mark our deep and important ties by celebrating together as we raise this flag. So thank you all, and Slava Ukraini. Thank you. Thank you, Borough President. And finally, I would like to introduce New York City's Office of International Affairs Commissioner Edward Mermilstein, who will introduce Mayor Adams. Thank you so much, Arthur. And thank you very much, Council General Halabov, for being with us and leading us today. As Commissioner of International Affairs, I am so happy to join Mayor Adams and members of our administration, the Bowling Green Association, and all the Council Generals that are with us today. To celebrate the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's independence, thank you. This moment is especially significant as Ukraine continues to deal with the horrific and unjust invasion. New York is proud to be home to more than 150,000 Ukrainians, and every one of you contributes immensely to the city. As a proud Ukrainian American who came to New York as a refugee, I am honored to stand with this community to celebrate this day with all of you. While our community is going through a lot of pain, New York City continues to be proactive in its support. And for that, I want to thank the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, for his great leadership. I'd like to thank him for committing not just words but funds and many other city resources to support our community. I look forward to leveraging our strong relationship with the Council to ensure that we serve the needs of Ukrainians already in New York City, as well as the displaced families arriving daily. I also stand ready to work with our administration, the Council and the Ukrainian community to achieve Mayor Adams' vision of a New York City for all. Congratulations to my fellow Ukrainians on this milestone. I'd like to now introduce the Mayor of the greatest city of New York, the greatest Mayor, Mayor Eric Adams. Thanks so much, Commissioner. And when you look through my administration, you see the rich of the pride, the tradition, and the understanding of our office by having Commissioner Myrma saying the first Ukrainian citizen to head our international affairs. The timing was appropriate. Throughout the war, he has been a top advisor as we look through the horrific actions that are taking place on Ukrainian soil. We are clear on this. New York City is the key of America. We have the largest Ukrainian population right here in New York City. As the Commissioner mentioned, over 150,000 residents of Ukrainian ancestry live here in New York City. And so it's an honor to stand here in solidarity of your 31 years of independence and raise this flag. It is to raise the spirit of the Ukrainian people. And my good friend, the Council General, has been a real symbol of that strength. From the time that the bombs burst on the soil of Ukraine has stood up and represent the country here in New York with the level of strength, bravery, compassion and commitment that you could expect from any Council General during these difficult times. And we know this city being an international city. Each time something plays out on the international stage, it plays out on the streets of New York City. We realize that this city is a city of immigrants. As I swore in men and women from 24 different countries that became American citizens today, this is a city that the dream of America comes alive every day. And the Ukrainian people have been part of that since the 17th century, when the first Ukrainian American first arrived here to the families that live in Little Ukraine and Lower Manhattan. It may be called Little Ukraine, but the people there have big hearts. They're very much part of the greatness of this city. We know the impact of this war has devastated many, has created a great level of pain, but we know how to turn pain into purpose and fortify our strength together as one. And as our Commissioner mentioned, it started with the $2 million allocation to ensure that we could help those who are here but to go further and give the legal representation coalesce with our nonprofits, coordinate with those who want to give back in a real way. We take our hats off to President Zelensky. He has clearly shown the resiliency of the Ukrainian people, and we want him to know that this flag that we raise is a symbol of that strength. It's a symbol of what we stand for, and it's a symbol of what we fight for. God bless America. God bless this city. God bless and live up to Ukrainian people. Thank you very much. This proclamation is given to the Council General, but the Ukrainian people, whereas the Ukrainian people have long enhanced life in our diverse city, and they will continue to play a key role as we take bold steps to come back stronger from the pandemic. Grow our economy and forge a safer, fairer, more prosperous future for all. I look forward to the many years our vital Ukrainian community will continue to invigorate the five boroughs as we write, as we unite, to get stuff done and rebuild, renew, and reinvent our global city. Now, therefore, I, Eric Adams, Mayor of the City of New York, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, August 23, 2022, in the City of New York, as Ukrainian heritage is day. Congratulations. Okay, now, Mr. Council General, Mr. Mayor, let's raise the flags, first the American flag and the American anthem, then the Ukrainian flag and the Ukrainian anthem.