ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Activists gathered together in Ithaca to protest because they want peace in Ukraine a nuclear war to be averted. Feb. 24th marks the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Members of Ithaca Catholic Charities wanted to face the bitter cold weather, holding signs, to promote peace.  

“We don't want the United States to keep pushing weapons on Ukraine,” Mary Anne Grady Flores. “We want people to pull back, have a ceasefire, and stop the weapons...and sit down and negotiate.” 

Flores, a member of Ithaca Catholic Workers, teamed up with activist Michael Smith to speak out against the possibility of nuclear war. Flores has been an activist since she was 16-years-old.  

“I'm here to have accountability for our side of the pond, as they say,” she said. “The nuclear weapons are putting all of humanity at risk of not being anymore.” 

 Smith has been protesting with Flores for nearly 20 years for diplomacy and peace on Earth. Smith said he is not anti-Putin or pro-Ukraine; he is pro-human. 

“Even the U.S government has begun to talk about a settlement that might result in Ukraine...not having all of its territory back but that's certainly a better outcome than a nuclear war or an escalated conflict,” he said. 

Nearly 20 years ago, Smith was protesting the war in Iraq at the same spot, located at the corner of CVS Pharmacy of Meadow Street and Clinton Street, in Ithaca. Now, he is hoping to see people come together to promote peace once again. 

“We're coming together, not just on this corner in Ithaca, but around the country...and I think it's an attempt to really revive a peace movement that seems to have gone to sleep,” he said.  

 Activist Mark Scibilia-Carver came out with a message for President Biden on his sign. He wanted to speak out against eco-terrorism with the group of activists.  

“As a fellow Catholic, I want to ask Joe Biden to pay attention to what Pope Francis said...back in March,” he said. “’There is no such thing as a just war...they do not exist.'”  

Tomorrow, Flores will be protesting at the same location from 10 to 11 a.m. to let people know her message: “War has never been the answer.”