Community members gather at Santa Barbara Courthouse for Ukraine rally

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Women's March Santa Barbara said it organized a peace rally and march in support of Ukraine on Saturday afternoon in collaboration with other local organizations.

The event took place at the Santa Barbara Courthouse at 2 p.m.

Women's March SB said it co-organized this rally with World Dance for Humanity and CODEPINK Women for Peace.

In spreading word for this rally, Women's March SB Organizer Michal Lynch wrote the following piece:

"Russian Troops Out of Ukraine. Negotiate, Do Not Escalate. Support Global Nuclear Disarmament. Peace advocates in Santa Barbara condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms.

We call for increased humanitarian aid and safe refuge for Ukrainians and all persecuted people, including those in Yemen where the US arms the Saudi genocide.

We support sanctions on the Russian oligarchs who seek to profit from Russia's invasion with investments in war profiteers and who support sending working class Russians to the front lines to kill working class Ukrainians who wish to live in peace.

We encourage diplomatic missions--not bans on travel that further polarize the world & suppress anti-war voices in Russia. We call on President Biden to meet with Russian leader Vladamir Putin to put an end to Russia's carnage in Ukraine and to address Russia’s security concerns.

There is no military solution to this crisis. We call for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations without preconditions.

We say YES to a European security agreement that addresses the security interests of all stakeholders in Europe and beyond."

Michal Lynch, Women's March SB Organizer