The City Council of Kingston, New York passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on July 2, 2024

RESOLUTION 117 OF 2024

RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KINGSTON NEW YORK TO ADOPT A MEMORIALIZING RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT CEASEFIRE AND UNITING FOR PEACE.

Sponsored By Laws & Rules Committee: Alderman Hirsch, Scott- Childress, Pasti, Dennison, Mickens

WHEREAS, the City of Kingston is united against all forms of violence and recognizes that all life is precious; and

WHEREAS, the City of Kingston condemns all forms of racism, including but not limited to anti-Semitism and anti-Arab racism, islamophobia, fascism, white supremacy, anti-indigeneity, and xenophobia throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, the City of Kingston aspires to be a safe and welcoming community and is committed to promoting peace, unity, and respect for all residents and community members; and

WHEREAS, according to the United Nations World Food Program . . . people have been displaced from their homes, and there is a continued lack of food, healthcare, and potable water that has led to famine; and

WHEREAS, the City of Kingston recognizes the urgency of the human rights crises in Palestine and Israel and the need for immediate action; and

WHEREAS, the City of Kingston affirms that a lasting peace that affirms human rights can best be achieved through diplomatic means; and

WHEREAS, the conflict in the Middle East has greatly affected many members of our Kingston community in the most intimate and honifring ways; and

WHEREAS, we have seen an outpouring of poignant commentary advocating for peace, charity, and grace , andwe have also seen how easy it is for bitter denunciation and insidious prejudice to take root; and

WHEREAS, the City of Kingston recognizes that we have the ability and opportunity to help ease the pain and divisions within our community through a statement of shared understanding.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KINGSTON, NEW YORK, AS FOLLOWS:

That the City of Kingston calls upon our leaders in Albany and Washington to continue and extend their efforts to bring about an immediate, mutually agreed upon and permanent ceasefire in Israeli and Palestinian lands to protect and save human lives and to release all hostages; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Kingston calls upon our leaders in Albany and Washington to significantly expand funding and the supply of humanitarian aid to victims of this war and to provide increased support for the safety and prosperity of all inhabitants of the region; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Kingston calls upon our leaders in Albany and Washington to end unrestricted, offensive military funding; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we hereby resolve to focus on holding each other in community, even as we may disagree over issues that extend beyond our City; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is directed to send a copy of this resolution to President Joseph Biden, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Patrick Ryan, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, Ulster County Legislative Chair Peter Criswell, Ulster County Legislative Majority Leader Abe Uchitelle, Ulster County Legislator Joseph Donaldson, Ulster County Legislator Greg McCullough, and Mayor Steve Noble.