The Philadelphia City Council voted against a symbolic resolution calling for a no-fly zone over humanitarian corridors in Ukraine on Thursday.
The resolution proposed by Councilmember David Oh, which would urge the United States to work with its NATO partners to take the step toward protecting civilians escaping Russia’s invasion, was rejected in a roll call vote, with six members in favor of the measure and eight members against.
“I think what that provides is a level of civility in an obviously brutal war where Russia as a nation is agreeing that it is not targeting citizens and civilians,” Oh told the Washington Examiner, “and also seeking a level of civility towards its wounded soldiers, medical treatment, and humane treatment of those that are injured.”
RUSSIA LOOKS TO FOREIGN MERCENARIES AS CASUALTIES PILE UP IN UKRAINE
Oh’s resolution, focused only on protecting civilians, would be more limited than the broader NATO-enforced no-fly zone being sought by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. President Joe Biden and others have warned that implementing such a no-fly zone could lead to World War III because it would necessitate shooting down Russian aircraft violating Ukrainian airspace.
Today, I introduced a Resolution in support of establishing limited no-fly zone over humanitarian corridors in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/Lpzjty67Ca
— David Oh (@DavidOhPhilly) March 17, 2022
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Helen Gym, one of the council members who opposed the resolution, said a no-fly zone could be seen by Russia as an act of war if it were enacted by the U.S. or NATO, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Gym has not yet responded to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
Oh told the Washington Examiner that the U.S. should be engaged in living up to its values and purpose as “the light of democracy in the world.” He also said the Philadelphia area has “the second-largest Ukrainian American population in the nation” and that its citizens have been “very engaged” in raising money for medical supplies for emergency personnel and civilians in Ukraine.
