Bridgeview, Illinois passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on April 3, 2024

A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT OF THE VILLAGE OF BRIDGEVIEW TO DIVERSITY, IN SUPPORT OF PEACE, AND IN SUPPORT OF A CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA, UKRAINE, AND ALL REGIONS OF THE WORLD UNDER ATTACK

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Bridgeview, Cook County, Illinois (the "Village"), are committed to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the Village's residents and visitors and ensuring that all Village residents and visitors are treated fairly and equally; and

WHEREAS, fostering a welcoming environment for all people, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or place of origin enhances the Village's cultural fabric, economic growth, and overall well-being and prosperity for current and future generations; and

WHEREAS, the Village is proud of its diversity and its commitment to fostering constructive discussions, debates, and understandings between people of different backgrounds, experiences, and ideas; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Board of Trustees express deep concern at the initiation of violence against civilians at the Gaza attack on October 7, 2023, and the rapid and continued deterioration in the region, particularly in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, throughout Israel, and now in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, along with the continued war in Ukraine, Russia and Crimea; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Board of Trustees condemn all acts of violence aimed at civilians, including all acts of terrorism and indiscriminate attacks, as well as acts of provocation, incitement, and destruction; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Board of Trustees express their desire that all people be free from occupation, authoritarian regimes, or extremist rulers who do not truly represent their populations while continuing to put their people in harm's way; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Board of Trustees believe, and hereby declare, that it is in the best interest of the Village to re-affirm the Village's commitment to supporting diversity, standing up against all forms of hatred, and supporting lasting global peace through an immediate and permanent cease-fire in Gaza, Ukraine and all regions of the world under attack.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BRIDGEVIEW, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION ONE: The Mayor and Board of Trustees stand for peace and call for the return of hostages and prisoners, and for a durable, sustained humanitarian cessation of hostilities, the rebuilding of civilians' lives, and re-fostering economic development. They also call for a lasting, permanent, and viable peace coupled with dignity and respect for Israelis, Palestinians, Ukrainians, and every ethnic and religious group involved in current conflicts. For residents of Gaza, for the immediate, continuous, sufficient, and unhindered provision of essential goods, food, and medical services to be immediately provided.

SECTION TWO: The Mayor and Board of Trustees reject all extremists and wholly blame extremist regimes and organizations for the death, destruction, and fear suffered by the people, be they Israeli, Palestinian, Ukrainian, Russian, Iranian, Lebanese, Yemeni, or otherwise.

While the Mayor and Board of Trustees do not have any direct role in foreign policy, they express their desire for all global conflict to cease, and express the urgent need to ensure the protection of civilian populations in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions and to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid is received directly by civilians in need.

SECTION THREE: The Village has, and always will, stand against discrimination and hatred, from any source, against any people. The Village values the lives of Palestinians, Israelis, Ukrainians, and all of those caught in terrible wars and conflicts, whether in Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Crimea, Russia or other parts of the world. The Village recognizes its diverse population reflects different perspectives and different sentiments about individual conflicts and encourages open, constructive dialogue between people of different backgrounds. The Mayor and Board of Trustees wholly and completely reject any forms of hate-induced violence or bigotry and will do everything within its legal authority to prevent and fight against the same in our community.

SECTION FOUR: This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval as provided by law.

This resolution was adopted by the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Bridgeview and deposited in the office of the Village Clerk this 3rd day of April, 2024.