Don’t forget that the fears you identify with among the Ukrainian people as they face invasion, war, death, and destruction from an imperial power are the same fears, concerns, and desires for a peaceful existence shared by people in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen — countries in which our government has brought war, invasion, bombing, and mass killing to for the last 20+ years, right through to today.

So, as you rightfully identify with the plight of people in Ukraine and denounce the actions of the Russian government and cheer on the responsibility of Russian anti-war protestors opposing the actions of their government, remember that you have that same responsibility to oppose war and the current ongoing slaughter of innocents carried out by your own government. Remember that your government is engaged in warfare and slaughter against innocent civilians. Your government is starving millions of people in Afghanistan, is supplying weapons and bombs to enable mass genocide in Yemen and is actively dropping bombs and firing missiles killing completely innocent people — people with hopes for their children, and fears for their lives — across multiple countries. Remember that it is your responsibility to oppose the war-making actions of your government.

Nick Gauthier

Waterford