MIAMI — Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has ordered the removal of all Russian flags displayed at Miami International Airport “effectively immediately,” she tweeted Thursday morning.
The airport maintains an outdoor display of international flags in front of Concourse E. The Russian flag would be removed to make a statement against the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Her order comes after President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. will ban Russian aircraft from U.S. airspace during Tuesday night’s State of the Union.
“Tonight I am announcing that we will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights — further isolating Russia — and adding an additional squeeze on their economy,” Biden said on Tuesday, according to NBC News.
The European Union and Canada have also banned Russian flights from their airspace.
Levine Cava tweeted her support of a Russian flight ban in the U.S. during the State of the Union.
“Miami-Dade County stands firm in its support of President Biden’s decision to ban Russian aircrafts from U.S. airspace, including Miami International Airport. My administration is ready to work with the federal government to aid the Ukrainian people however we can,” she tweeted.
On Monday, the mayor also ordered all county department directors to review all county contracts to ensure that none are connected to Russian business interests of any kind.
“As the world continues to monitor Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine, Miami-Dade County stands in solidarity with the people facing the effects of this unprovoked war,” Levine Cava said. “In a community like ours — built by immigrants and refugees fleeing from all corners of the globe in search of a better life, peace and democracy — we have always extended a hand to help those who come to us in need. In this spirit, we will do our part to ensure that we are part of the solution.”
She added, “In this defining moment, we must always defend democracy and the rights of people to live in peace. Our county must not, in good conscience, continue any business relationship that could directly or indirectly bankroll violence and war against Ukraine.”