‘Laguna Stands With Ukraine’ group photo op comes to City Hall Thursday morning

As Orange County residents stay glued to news reports of a Russian military convoy advancing into the Ukrainian capitol of Kyiv, some Laguna Beach residents are organizing a show of support for the people of Ukraine outside City Hall Thursday.

Members of the public are invited come to Laguna Beach City Hall, located at 505 Forest Ave., at 10 a.m. and pose for a “Laguna Stands With Ukraine” group photo that will be circulated on social media to raise awareness about the crisis unfolding overseas.

Laguna Beach resident Denny Freidenrich is organizing a group photo as a show of support for the people of Ukraine.

(Courtesy of Denny Freidenrich)

Organizer and longtime Laguna Beach resident Denny Freidenrich says the idea is to bring people together for a good cause. The retired marketing and PR executive corralled local interest in a similar manner in June 2020, in support of George Floyd, and again last June to celebrate the reopening of local businesses and organizations.

“I see things. I see times, I see issues, and I try to galvanize people around those ideas, basically out of a sense of a good conscience and being a good citizen,” Freidenrich, 73, said Tuesday. “That’s basically what drives me.”

Participants are encouraged to wear blue and yellow clothing and bring Ukrainian flags or sunflowers, the national flower and a growing symbol of resistance, as a visual sign of support. Freidenrich hopes to inspire people in other locations to do the same.

“I tell people all over, here’s what we’re doing in Laguna. You can do the same thing. Get 10 people, get 20 people or 30 people — share the photographs and spread the word,” he said.

“Our gathering has nothing to do with politics,” he clarified. “If you are a freedom loving American, you can’t turn your back on what’s happening in Ukraine.”

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