Bell Gardens, California passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on March 11, 2024

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-15

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELL GARDENS, CALIFORNIA,

AFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL AND WORLDWIDE CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN GAZA

WHEREAS, the City of Bell Gardens believes that all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, and religion should be able to live in dignity, freedom, and equality without fear of destruction;

WHEREAS, the City of Bell Gardens condemns the recent rise of Antisemitic, Islamophobic, racist, homophobic, and xenophobic attacks across the nation;

WHEREAS, the City of Bell Gardens recognizes that the current crisis takes place within a long history and affirms the root causes of the crisis needs to be addressed for a pathway to lasting peace and justice to be developed;

WHEREAS, the current assault on Gaza, which started October 7, 2023 after Hamas killed 1,200 people and kidnapped 240 people, has resulted in over 30,000 Palestinians killed, including 13,000 children, and over 1.9 million Palestinians displaced by the State of Israel;

WHEREAS, the United Nations called for an immediate ceasefire and urged Israel and the United States to take actions to prevent further loss of civilian life;

WHEREAS, the Federal Government holds immense diplomatic power to save Israeli and Palestinian lives.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, DETERMINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BELL GARDENS, CALIFORNIA, AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The City of Bell Gardens support local programs that combat Antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, homophobic and xenophobic attacks.

SECTION 2. The City of Bell Gardens supports U.S. Congress Resolution H.R. 786, and joins other cities in calling on our Congressional Representatives and Senators to demand: a permanent ceasefire; the release of all hostages and unlawful prisoners; the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza; the restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza; conditioning military aid to the State of Israel; and an immediate respect for international law by Israel and Hamas.

SECTION 3. That a copy of this resolution be sent to the offices of Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, State Senator Lena Gonzalez, Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Representative Robert Garcia, U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. President Joe Biden, urging them to take immediate action to use their position and influence to end violence.

PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 11th day of March 2024. THE CITY OF BELL GARDENS