RACINE — Ukraine supporters gathered on Monument Square Monday to urge Congressman Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to vote in favor of aid to the war-torn country.
“It went well,” commented John Scott, who introduced the speakers at the gathering. “Great speeches were given from veterans and others with their own perspectives of empathy for the Ukrainian people being attacked by a totalitarian dictator.
Karen Mathis was at Monument Square to sign petitions calling on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
About 75 people rallied on Monument Square to sign petitions calling on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
John Stropes was at Monument Square to sign petitions calling on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
People rallied on Monument Square calling on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
The crowd at Monument Square called on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye
“We have stopped helping our allies and this fledgling democracy,” continued Scott.
“Congressman Steil has voted against providing weapons and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and has not done anything to break up the ongoing Congressional logjam to allow a vote on aid to Ukraine.”
No specific organization backed this gathering—it was locally put together by a group of concerned friends. Linda O’Connell delivered the keynote address, followed by a speech given by State Representative Tip McGuire. Several Veterans spoke, including Steven Anderson, Jim Poplawski, Tom Fugate, and Rick Wiegel. Doris Beaudry closed out the gathering with an impassioned plea in support of Ukraine and its people.
Close to 100 petitions were signed and collected, and a portion of the group proceeded to march to the Racine County Courthouse building, where Congressman Steil’s district office is located.
Attendee Maybeth Zuhlke was allowed to leave some of the protest signs at Steil’s door as a symbolic measure, as his office was already closed. The petitions will officially be delivered on Tuesday morning.
Brian O’Connell, whose wife gave the keynote address, was at Monument Square to sign petitions calling on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Some of the speakers were military veterans. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
Linda O’Connell gives the keynote address as about 75 people rallied on Monument Square to sign petitions calling on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Some of the speakers were military veterans. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
Casey Jones, left, and Joycelyn Andacht-Jones rallied on Monument Square to sign petitions calling on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
Larry Foster was present at Monument Square to sign petitions calling on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
Tom Fugate, left, salutes fellow veterans in front of a sign held by Rick Wiegel at a rally to support U.S. aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Some of the speakers were military veterans. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye
Racine County Eye caught up with State Senator Robert Wirch after the event, who stated he feels a personal kinship to Ukraine due to his Grandfather Albert being born there in 1880.
Rick Wiegel was among the throng on Monument Square to sign petitions calling on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
Stan Flashinksi holds a Ukraine flag as about 75 people rallied on Monument Square to sign petitions calling on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
Tom Fugate speaks during the rally on Monument Square to sign petitions calling on Cong. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) to support U.S, aid to Ukraine on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Some of the speakers were military veterans. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
After the rally, about two dozen people marched to the Racine County Courthouse to leave the petitions at his district office. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
Marybeth Zuhlke leaves protest signs outside Long. Bryan Steil’s office door after the rally. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye 
The Courthouse was closed but Marybeth Zuhlke was allowed to leave protest signs outside Long. Bryan Steil’s office door. / Mark Hertzberg for Racine County Eye
“I’ve always felt like I’ve had a connection with Ukraine, and I’m just very embarrassed to have Congress—specifically Representative Steil—turn their back on freedom fighters,” stated Senator Wirch.
“Putin is laughing at us,” Wirch continued. “We don’t have the spine for a long conflict and it’s the Republicans in Congress that are doing it.
“And this is not partisan; Ronald Regan would turn over in his grave,” Senator Wirch continued. “It’s not partisan, it’s shameful.”
Diane Anderson is another Ukraine supporter who was in attendance.
“Well, they’re not doing a darn thing,” added Anderson, who plans on challenging Rep. Steil after his current term ends, hoping to become the first woman in history to hold office in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District.
Former Racine County Alderman Robert Anderson at the rally. – Credit: Holly Myrup 
(From left to right): Diana Valencia, Senator Robert Wirch, former Alderman Robert Anderson, and Diane Anderson. – Credit: Holly Myrup 
Diane Anderson holds signs at the rally on Monument Square demanding support for Ukraine. – Credit: Holly Myrup
The $60 million aid package—which was primed to be passed in the Senate—was rejected and killed by House Speaker Mike Johnson with the support of the Republican-led chamber, blocking it from even being presented for a vote.
To circumvent the Speaker, a rare procedure known as a “Discharge Petition” could be introduced to the members of the House and would require 218 votes to pass. There are 212 Democrats in the House that would likely sign the petition, but due to the razor-thin Republican majority, they would still need 6 House Republicans to support it. Congressman Bryan Steil could be one of those House Republicans, and that is what the attendees at Monday’s event were vehemently advocating for.
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