Eugene, Oregon CEASEFIRE resolution passed on December 11, 2023

COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 5391

A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR PEACE AND IN OPPOSITION TO WAR.

PASSED: 7:0 REJECTED: OPPOSED: ABSENT: Leech

CONSIDERED: December 11, 2023

RESOLUTION NO. 5391
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR PEACE AND IN OPPOSITION TO WAR.

The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that:
A. All human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians - no matter their faith or ethnicity - is a violation of International Human Rights.

B. We all struggle with feelings of anguish, anger, loss, and despair over the appalling violence erupting in Israel and Gaza. The cruelty of the October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians including the seizure of hostages by Hamas, and the subsequent onslaught by the Israeli government on civilians in Gaza are horrifying and the loss of innocent lives caused by this war is unacceptable.

C. On November 27, 2023, the City of Eugene reaffirmed our State and Federal Legislative Policies including the following Equity and Inclusion items (partial list):

1. Eugene supports initiatives that affirm the promotion of rights included in the International Declaration of Human Rights.

2. Eugene supports legislation that condemns all forms of hate, xenophobia, racism, white supremacy, Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, sexism, and other forms of bigotry. This includes timely condemnation of actions against certain groups in relation to specific events.

3. Eugene supports legislation that protects refugees, regardless of citizenship status.

D. On September 25, 2023, Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis officially rededicated the City of Eugene as a city of Peace, providing inspiration and honoring International Peace by "commemorating and strengthening the ideal of peace, both within and among nations and peoples."

E. We have a moment to stand for peace, with clarity about the depth of pain and the challenge of compromise that is required.

F. The United States holds immense diplomatic power to save Israeli and Palestinian lives.

G. Our friends and neighbors who are Jewish and Muslim - Israeli and Palestinian - face a surge in anti-Semitism, anti-Arab and anti-Muslim hate speech and crimes. Peace begins with us, not with accusations or diminishment of the suffering on either side, but as a community that shares their grief and extends our hands and hearts in compassion.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows:

Section 1. The City Council urges the Biden-Harris administration to immediately call for and facilitate de-escalation and continued ceasefire peace talks to end the current violence and to promptly send adequate humanitarian assistance to all innocent persons in the region affected by this war.

Section 2. The City Council asks all members of Oregon's Federal Delegation to use the platform provided by their office to advocate for peaceful, diplomatic measures that will result in an immediate and long-term reduction of violence and bloodshed.

Section 3. This Resolution is effective immediately upon its passage by the City Council.

The foregoing Resolution adopted the 11th day of December, 2023.