On the evening of June 24, the Sunflower Society of Sacramento hosted displaced survivors of the war in Ukraine, advocates, and community members on the west steps of the Capitol to commemorate a global solemn observance held annually on June 26 to support victims of torture.

Olga Noshyn (an immigrant from Ukraine), Anna Berbeneva (an immigrant from Russia) and Kimberley Dillon (a Finnish American who lost a whole branch of her family in Finland to the Russians) are all Sunflower Society organizers. They each spoke about the need not to remain silent in the face of the extreme atrocities the POWs suffered.

“Silence kills. Our silence kills,” a press release from the Sunflower Society of Sacramento states. “We as Americans must let the world know about these atrocities.”

Retired Assembly member Ken Cooley, who often speaks at these rallies, delivered an inspirational talk, drawing on the words of historic Americans and quotes from the Bible to encourage attendees to maintain hope and persevere as the war continues. He reminded attendees of the community fostered and encouraged attendees to shake hands and introduce themselves to new people.

Stephan Skots also spoke, sharing a prayer in Ukrainian.

This was also a call to action. Calls were made to local representatives during the rally, and attendees were encouraged to contact their representatives and senators to ask them to support the “Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025.”

For more information on the Sunflower Society, go to their website at https://www.facebook.com/SunflowerSociety916/.

Those interested can show their support by attending the fascinating slide presentation by Sacha Chickering, a UC Davis student, at the Varsity Theater in Davis on Saturday, June 28, at 9:45 a.m.