Russian River Rally for Ukraine set for March 11 in Guerneville

Residents from throughout Sonoma County are invited to take part in a "Russian River Rally for Ukraine" happening at the Guerneville pedestrian bridge on Friday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to bring signs of support for Ukraine. It will be the third bridge over the Russian River to be lighted in yellow and blue, following the Healdsburg Memorial Bridge on February 28 and the Monte Rio Bridge on March 9. The event is organized by the Russian River Chamber of Commerce and Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council, in partnership with the City of Healdsburg and County of Sonoma. 

“Thanks to fast action by the County of Sonoma Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Monte Rio Bridge and Guerneville pedestrian bridge will be lit up in blue and yellow, matching the Healdsburg Memorial Bridge, in a show of solidarity for Ukraine,” said District 4 Supervisor James Gore, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “This is an opportunity to show support for the innocent people of Ukraine as they endure a horrible war and struggle for sovereignty in the face of invasion.”

“We want the world to know that Sonoma County’s Fifth District, and all of Sonoma County, stands with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their time of need,” said District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins. “This is a small but meaningful and purposeful expression of our enduring support for the principles of democracy, freedom and self-governance.” 

“I stand in solidarity with Ukraine and respect their sovereignty as a democratic society,” said Osvaldo Jimenez, Mayor of the City of Healdsburg. “In a show of peace and unity, the Healdsburg Memorial Bridge over the Russian River will be illuminated and yellow and blue.”

“I am so grateful that the communities along the Russian River have come together in support of Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, and their steadfast commitment to democracy,” said Pip Marquez de la Plata, Chair of the Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council. “The Lower Russian River MAC is appreciative of the work and cooperation between our groups to make this happen so quickly.”

“I would like to express a big thank you to Sonoma County on behalf of the Russian River Chamber of Commerce for this amazing, generous, and symbolic gesture of support for the people of Ukraine over the Russian River,” said Bob Pullum, President of the Russian River Chamber of Commerce.

Team members from the County of Sonoma Department of Transportation and Public Works installed the lights by applying a color gel to the existing bridge lights. The Guerneville pedestrian bridge will also be featured under flood lights to enhance the display.

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