A group of Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners in Washington, DC sent the following letter to the DC City Council on December 18, 2023:
Dear DC Council Members,
We, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners from across DC, write to you today to urge you to pass a resolution publicly demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an unequivocal condemnation of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian hatred within our community.
In the vicious attacks of October 7th, nearly 1,200I sraelis were killed by Hamas militants. In the days since, more than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed in a massive bombing campaign waged by Israel, with the support of the United States. These daily atrocities in Gaza have disrupted critical infrastructure, like health facilities, schools, and access to clean water and food. This has created a humanitarian catastrophe for families in Gaza, many of whom already live in poverty and are prevented from fleeing the violence due to Israel’s decades-long occupation and blockade. Today, Gaza’s population of 2.2 million, half of whom are children, is displaced and in continued danger.
As elected leaders, we have a responsibility to raise our voices to protect civilians in Gaza, some of whom have family in the District, as the US government offers munitions, money, and diplomatic support to the government of Israel to continue its assault. Because DC is not a state, this aid is being offered without our consent via a vote in Congress. As our only elected representatives with power on a city, county, state, or congressional level, we feel it is your responsibility to stand up against the ongoing assault on Palestinian lives. Passing a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire-an act that would ultimately make the region safer for all, allowing sufficient humanitarian aid to enter the area and the return of all hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held without charge by Israel-sends a powerful message that the loss of lives and human suffering in Gaza is unacceptable.
The DC Council has a history of using its voice on global issues, recognizing its international significance as the elected legislative body of the capital of the United States. At the start of Russia’s aggression into Ukraine, the DC Council passed a comprehensive resolution to condemn the attacks and call on Congress to implement sanctions. Earlier in this Council session, DC passed a resolution calling for the end of the federal embargo on Cuba. And to fight apartheid in South Africa, the DC Council passed a law removing all DC investments from South African companies in solidarity with Black South Africans. Other cities around the country are already passing ceasefire resolutions, including Atlanta, Detroit, Oakland, Providence, Seattle, and Wilmington. It is a reflection of our DC values to stand up to protect innocent life around the globe, to lead by example, and to urge the federal government to use its power for justice.
At the same time, our Jewish, Palestinian, and Muslim neighbors in DC and across the world face growing discrimination, hate, and violence. We are seeing what is happening abroad have far-reaching consequences of antisemitism and Islamophobia, leading to threats and deadly attacks, like the tragic murder of six-year-old Wadeaal-Fayoume and the recent marches of Neo-Nazis in Wisconsin. We must remember that the actions of the Israeli government do not represent our Jewish neighbors and actions of Hamas do not represent our Muslim or Palestinian neighbors. Dehumanization is simply a gateway to more violence and must be condemned.
DC is home to thousands of Palestinians, Jews, and Muslims; these are our constituents, community leaders, and neighbors. As was said by one of our Palestinian neighbors, by saying no to a ceasefire, you must consider that you are saying yes to the continued death of Palestinian civilians. A resolution is a meaningful step we must take as a city, our nation’s capital, to stand up for civilian lives, and would be a strong show of support to our Jewish, Palestinian, and Muslim neighbors who face heightened hatred and violence at this time. We welcome an open discussion on this proposed resolution and look forward to working with you on this urgent effort.
Sincerely,
The following Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners of DC:
Dieter Lehmann Morales, ANC1A02
Stephen Coleman Kenny, ANC1A05
Mukta Ghorpadey, ANC1A07
Daniel Michelson-Horowitz, ANC1C01
Peter Wood, ANC1C03
Joe Van Wye, ANC1C04
Margaret Stevens, ANC1C05
Erika Nunez, ANC1D03
Omar Parbhoo, ANC1D05
Yannik Omictin, ANC2A01
Jim Malec, ANC2A02
Trupti Patel, ANC2A03
Jeffrey Rueckgauer, ANC2B02
Hayden Gise, ANC3C01
Janell Pagats, ANC3C03
Roric McCorristin, ANC3C04
Sauleh Siddiqui, ANC3C05
Rohin Ghosh, ANC3E08
Teri Huet, ANC3F02
Peter Lynch, ANC3G05
Joan Hoyte, ANC4A02
Tiffani Nichole Johnson, ANC4B06
Carson C. Lucarelli, ANC4D03
Chrysanthe Courniotes, ANC4D04
Sebrena Rhodes, ANC5D02
Anna Roblin, ANC5D03
HumaImtiaz, ANC5E04
Keya Chatterjee, ANC6A01
Robb Dooling, ANC6A06
Edward Ryder, ANC6B08
Christy Kwan, ANC6C01
Patricia Eguino, ANC6C06
Brian Glover, ANC7C01
Patricia Williams, ANC7C02
Carlos Richardson, ANC7C03
Anthony Lorenzo Green, ANC7C04
Ebony Payne, ANC7D05
Ashley R. Ruff, ANC7F02
Brittany Hughes, ANC7F05
Jamila White, ANC8A05
Khadijah Watson, ANC8B01
Joseph Johnson, ANC8B05
Juanita Beltran, ANC8B07
Erica Green, ANC8C04