Granite Falls shines light on Ukraine’s plight

Blue and yellow lights raise awareness of ‘terrible invasion,’ GF mayor says

GRANITE FALLS -- There might not be direct connections between the nation of Ukraine and the city of Granite Falls. But the effects of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine could still be felt even in Minnesota, Granite Falls Mayor Dave Smiglewski said.

That is was why over the weekend the city changed the color of the lights illuminating the footbridge over the Minnesota River in downtown Granite Falls to blue and yellow -- the colors of Ukraine's flag.

"It's a small gesture, but it does call attention to something that is unnecessary and very wrong," Smiglewski said.

So far, the lights have sparked positive reactions from local residents, and photos of the bridge have appeared on social media.

The idea to temporarily change the lights in support of Ukraine was a suggestion from a community member, Smiglewski said.

"I was first contacted by a resident over the weekend about changing the lights to the yellow and blue colors of Ukraine's flag. He mentioned how it may help raise awareness of the terrible invasion of that country by Vladimir Putin's Russian forces and how that may have a direct affect on our lives here in the U.S.," he said.

"I agreed that the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the largest such military action in Europe since World War II, would likely have repercussions even in Minnesota."

Smiglewski took the idea to change the footbridge lights to Granite Falls City Manager Crystal Johnson, and it was City Clerk Christine Kleven who actually changed the lighting colors over on Saturday evening.

Kleven said it was a little tricky getting the color of the lights just right -- there was some green light at border of the areas of blue and yellow lights. The lights on the city's hydroelectric dam on the Minnesota River were also changed to blue on Saturday, she said.

Smiglewski said he wasn't aware of any Ukrainian-Americans living in Granite Falls, although there is a Ukrainian community in northeast Minneapolis.

"Nevertheless, I do think it is important to show our support for a democratically-elected government and for democracy in general," he said. "The many World War II veterans who came from our area would certainly take a very dim view of Putin's aggression and likely find a very distasteful link to the dictators they fought in that war, so it hails back to their great service, too."

Smiglewski said he and other Granite Falls City Council members have received positive reactions about the lights from local residents.

"I think folks see the moves by Putin's forces for what they are: an assault of freedom, democracy and a country's ability to choose its own leaders and its own way forward," Smiglewski said.

"It is very good to have folks come together in support of a common cause."