WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In downtown West Palm Beach, on the corner of North Dixie Highway and Third Street, dozens of protesters gathered as part of the 50-50-1 social movement— 50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.

The protests are on the same day that President Donald Trump is to address a joint session of Congress.

Amid a new swirl of events on the global stage, hundreds of people gathered this past weekend on Clematis Street to demonstrate with signs, speeches and song that abandoning Ukraine now will not only be a defeat for Ukrainians but also for global justice.

Crowds gathered at the Great Lawn in downtown West Palm Beach to support Ukraine as President Donald Trump's administration continues talks to end the war.

Hundreds gathered with flags, T-shirts and posters to mark three years since the start of the conflict with Russia.

Українські активісти зібралися цього понеділка поблизу готелю The Breakers, аби висловити протест проти виступу російської оперної співачки Анни Нетребко на щорічному благодійному гала-вечорі Оперного театру Палм-Біч

Про це пишуть The New York Times і Palm Beach Daily News.

Близько двох десятків протестувальників звинуватили Нетребко у тому, що вона недостатньо рішуче засудила російського диктатора Володимира Путіна за війну проти України.

Українська інстаграм-блогерка Ілона Чернобай, яка мешкає у Флориді, з'явилася на протесті в образі Анни Нетребко, стоячи перед мікрофоном із табличкою "Твоя сцена – в Кремлі". На задньому фоні лунав спів Нетребко, змішаний зі звуками сирен повітряної тривоги та бомб.

"Російські люди і російська культура повинні бути в Росії – не тут, не в світі", - зазначила Чорнобай.

The stage was set, the chandeliers dimmed and the audience hushed. Then the superstar Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, in a ruffled flamingo-pink gown and sparkling heels, made her entrance on Monday in the gilded ballroom of the Breakers hotel in Palm Beach. Ms. Netrebko was performing in the United States for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine, when she became persona non grata at American cultural institutions because of her past support of Russia’s president, Vladimir V . Putin.

It was, perhaps, a comedown since her last appearance, a starry New Year’s Eve gala in 2019 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where, as the company’s prima donna, she commanded an audience of about 3,800 that included legions of fans.

Now, banned from performing at the Met, she was on a far smaller stage as the main attraction at a gala for the Palm Beach Opera in Florida, singing a recital before an audience of about 450, including financiers, opera buffs, socialites and snowbirds. Pro-Ukrainian protesters, holding signs that read “Putin’s Soprano” gathered outside.

Protesters gathered on the sidewalks outside The Breakers on Monday to decry Russian soprano Anna Netrebko's performance at the Palm Beach Opera’s annual fundraising gala.  

During the afternoon demonstration, about two dozen protesters organized by the Lake Worth Beach-based nonprofit Ukrainian Association of Florida accused Netrebko of not condemning in harsh enough terms Russian President Vladimir Putin for the war against Ukraine. 

Netrebko has objected to the war, saying in 2022: “I am opposed to this senseless war of aggression, and I am calling on Russia to end this war right now, to save all of us ... We need peace right now.”

But she did not condemn Putin, for whom she had voiced support prior to the war.

 The Russian soprano Anna Netrebko will perform for the first time in the United States since 2019 on Monday night as the special guest of the Palm Beach Opera’s annual fundraising gala at The Breakers.

But if you thought of ponying up to see Netrebko and help the opera raise funds, think again.

The gala’s 400 seats, priced at $1,500 apiece, are completely sold out. That’s the first time that’s ever happened, said James Barbato, the opera company’s general director.

"We've never been sold out for a gala. There is not another inch of space to put another attendee,” he said.

But Netrebko’s visit comes with controversy. A decorated artist of the Russian state, she was uninvited to numerous U.S. and European stages after the Metropolitan Opera canceled her contracts in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, demanding that she condemn the invasion and repudiate the Russian leader.

Espresso is a Ukrainian news channel. Journalists from Ukraine came all the way to Florida to interview the members of UA Florida. 

Ukrainians across the globe celebrated the 33rd Ukrainian Independence Day Aug. 24, including here in downtown West Palm Beach.

The Ukrainian Association of Florida hosted a Ukrainian Cultural Festival Saturday night, with the goal of reminding the local community what Ukrainians are fighting for amid the war in Russia. The organizers say it was also a way to show their gratitude to Americans.

Ukrainian Association of Florida has been live since 5 a.m. on August 21st, 2024, with T.A. Walker to talk about the Ukrainian Cultural Fest and the celebration of the Independence Day of Ukraine - on Saturday, August 24th, 2024.

On August 19th, 2024 Ukrainian Association Florida team accepted the proclamation for the Independence of Ukraine from Mayor Keith James and West Palm Beach City commissioners.

This document has great historical and symbolic significance at this challenging time when the Ukrainian nation is fighting fiercely to preserve its independence and sovereignty.

Art installations serve as visual representations of soldiers who died, and refugees who fled.

Thank you, Mayor James and the City of West Palm Beach for the proclamation of the Independence Day of Ukraine on August 24th, 2023.

In my capacity as the Associate Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) for Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, I’ve had the honor of addressing the Ukrainian-American community at rallies for Ukraine, organized by UA Florida. Federation values JCRC fostering connections across diverse communities, understanding that each interaction helps weave a tapestry of understanding and unity. This work not only promotes goodwill but also cultivates an enriching exchange of culture, ideas and mutual support. It is in this spirit that my engagement with the Ukrainian-American community in Palm Beach County takes on significance. It signifies the building of bridges between Jewish-Americans and Ukrainian-Americans—two communities with rich histories, united in the quest for peace and justice.

Rallies held in Palm Beach County after dam collapses in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian community of South Florida, went for a rally to draw the world's attention to the tragedy at the Kakhovka Dam.

People are asking the international community to intervene and save people trapped in the water on the left bank of the Kherson region.

A letter of Gratitude from Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi was presented to the Mayor of West Palm Beach expressing appreciation for his support and active stance in the face of Russia's aggression.

Ukrainians living in South Florida come together to reflect on one year of the war in Ukraine.

США – найбільш віддалена від України держава. Тут спостерігають за війною з екранів ТВ, комп’ютерів і ґаджетів, але при цьому допомагають країні, яка потерпає від жорстокої війни, найбільше. Не останню роль у цьому відіграють наші співвітчизники, які потрапили до Штатів ще до війни. Ті люди, які лишаються патріотами України.

Ми поспілкувалися із засновниками волонтерської організації UA Florida – подружжям Дмитром і Наталією Божко та Антоном Гриценком, які буквально з перших часів повномасштабного вторгнення рф допомагають рідній країні.

Ukrainians, spouses, children, and allies got together at Old School Square to remind people in South Florida of the death and destruction overseas.

The last several weekends a group has gathered in Delray Beach to show support for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian community and supporters in Palm Beach County are continuing to show solidarity with loved ones overseas.

Anton Grytsenko, who lives in Boca Raton, gathered allies for a rally in solidarity with Ukraine.