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Dallas bans city contracts with organizations connected to Russia

A window is lit up in the foreground, while the Bank of America tower is lit up in the background with the Ukranian flag colors, during the Russian bombings on Ukraine, on Feb. 24, 2022.
Keren Carrión
/
KERA News
A window is lit up in the foreground, while the Bank of America tower is lit up in the background with the Ukranian flag colors, during the Russian bombings on Ukraine, on Feb. 24, 2022.

Dallas city council members unanimously approved banning city contracts with groups connected to the Russian regime.

The proposed resolution by Mayor Eric Johnson comes amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

At a Dallas city council meeting Wednesday, Johnson said it's not the council's main job to comment on international relations, but Dallas is an international city.

"I do think that extraordinary times do call for extraordinary action,” Johnson said. “If we're going to be a part of a global community, we have to stand up at times like this and make our intentions and our feelings known."

The resolution condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Mayor said he wants to show the city's solidarity with the Ukrainian people. It also includes cutting off the city’s relationship with the Russian city of Saratov. Dallas has had “ longtime cultural, educational, and medical ties with the people of Saratov.”

Last month, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, Johnson asked downtown building owners to show their support by lighting up their buildings in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, turning the city’s skyline blue and yellow.

The resolution would encourage the city's international business, civic, and philanthropic communities “to support the Ukrainian people in all possible ways in their fight to retain their freedom.”

The resolution also would support the coalition of nations imposing sanctions on Russia. The City of Dallas currently does not have any investments in Russia or own any assets in that country, according to officials.

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Got a tip? Alejandra Martinez is a Report For America corps member for KERA News. Email Alejandra at amartinez@kera.org. You can follow Alejandra on Twitter @alereports.

Alejandra Martinez is a reporter for KERA and The Texas Newsroom through Report for America (RFA). She's covering the impact of COVID-19 on underserved communities and the city of Dallas.