NEW YORK — Abberazak Ali joined hundreds of supporters in Times Square standing in solidarity with the people of Ukraine on Saturday.

Ali is originally from Somalia, and said he knows firsthand what it’s like to have to flee your homeland because of war.

“I don’t want nobody to become a refugee like me,” he said.

Armies of both countries have been involved in intense fights since Russian troops entered Ukraine. Supporters said they want to show the people of Ukraine they’re united with them.

“My family and parents, my friends are there and I’m here to stand for them,” Teaaan Kucheroua said.

Kucheroua is originally from Ukraine. The support from people who hail from many different countries means a lot to her.

“It gives us strength to stand up for what’s happening right now in Ukraine and it gives us hope that we’re going to survive,” Kucheroua said.

A group of people in a jeep honked in support of the growing crowd, mostly wearing the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Many proudly held handwritten signs.

Ali is hoping more people across the city will join in and show public support.

“They call New York the city that never sleeps and they’re sleeping about what’s happening in Ukraine,” he said. “I want to show the people we care, we know what’s happening.”

Many at the gathering said they’ll be rallying for as long as it takes. They feel it’s the least they could do.