Lincolnites rally for peace in Ukraine at state Capitol building

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Many people gathered at the state Capitol building Saturday wrapped in Ukrainian flags to call for the end of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Since the invasion three years ago, some have come together every Saturday, voicing their prayers and hoping the war ends.

Gary Fuller, a pastor at Gentle Shepherd Baptist Church, told Channel 8 the violence is devastating.

“We need this war to end,” he said. “This is just too much damage, too much destruction. Too many lives lost, too many families broken up. The torture and the barbarian treatment by the Russian soldiers toward the Ukrainian people has just been horrendous. Somehow, someway, we’re praying that this thing ends soon.”

Like many others at the protest, Fuller spent time in Ukraine to offer support for those in the war zone.

He said they brought supplies and prayer, and although it was a great trip, it was also very shocking.

“It was just an amazing, eye-opening experience,” he said. “It’s hard to tell. You have to experience it, but its life changing. I’d never been into a war zone before, until this time. And I got to say, it’s a little disconcerting speaking to groups of people, and all the time there’s outgoing and incoming and windows rattling in the building.”

The speakers at the protest also included many Ukrainian-Americans.

All of them joined together to raise money for families and friends still living in Ukraine.

“We need to continue to support the humanitarian efforts however we can, even with military efforts to make sure that lives are saved and there is no more terror on these people,” Fuller said.

President Donald Trump has been calling for both countries to come to a peace agreement.