Minneapolis, Minnesota CEASEFIRE resolution passed on January 25, 2024
(This resolution was passed by the Minneapolis City Council on January 25, 2024, vetoed by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on January 31st, 2024, then the city council overrode the Mayor’s veto on February 8, 2024.)
RESOLUTION
By Chughtai, Chowdhury, Payne, Ellison, & Chavez
Support of Permanent Ceasefire and Preventing Loss of Human Life in the Middle East.
Whereas, we the Minneapolis City Council work to ensure the safety, health, dignity, and freedom of people everyday. We follow the lead of 60 other localities in calling for a ceasefire because what happens internationally impacts our constituents locally. We believe in the shared humanity of all people and affirm it as a common value held by Minneapolis residents and leaders; and
Whereas, the ongoing bombardment in the Gaza Strip comes in the context of the 75-year displacement of Palestinians and 56-year illegal military and settler occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, and the 17-year blockade of Gaza; and
Whereas, on October 7, 2023 unacceptable attacks on Israel by Hamas and other armed groups resulted in more than 200 hostages being taken captive, and the deaths of more than 1,100 Israelis, including approximately 800 civilians; and
Whereas, we recognize the right to self-determination and peaceful, safe futures for both Palestinian and Israeli people; and
Whereas, the Government of the State of Israel is engaging in collective punishment of Palestinian civilians; and the Palestinian people are now facing a humanitarian catastrophe; and
Whereas, Palestinians living in Gaza are being killed at an unprecedented rate. Over 22,000 Gazans – including at least 8,500 children – have been killed in 93 days, meaning 1 child in Gaza is killed every 10 minutes. Over 300 medical workers and over 100 journalists have been killed. Proportional to population, the death toll in Gaza is the equivalent of about 3.1 million American deaths. In addition, over 50,000 Gazans are wounded, and over 7,000 are missing under the rubble; and
Whereas, The Government of The State of Israel has bombed civilian entities indiscriminately, destroying or damaging: at least two-thirds of all homes in northern Gaza; 23 hospitals and 141 medical facilities; 70% of schools; over 100 places of worship; bakeries; refugee camps; roads; and other essential infrastructure. This has destroyed access to food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, and sanitation essential to human life and caused mass displacement of as many as 90% of Gazans; and
Whereas, we unequivocally condemn the targeting and killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians – a violation of international law; and
Whereas, the World Health Organization, United Nations, Save the Children, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, His Holiness Pope Francis, more than 120 countries, and countless other organizations in Minnesota and around the world have called for a ceasefire to end the violence and suffering in the Gaza Strip. Doctors Without Borders has advocated for, “a total ceasefire and the unconditional supply of humanitarian aid, including access to food, fuel, and water. The survival of people in Gaza depends on this”; and
Whereas, we as local leaders are using our voice to stand firmly against the rise of and all acts of racially motivated violence and hate crimes perpetrated against our Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab constituents here in Minneapolis and around the United States; and
Whereas, the City of Minneapolis has a longstanding history of sharing statements on issues happening throughout the world that impact our constituents here at home and in this moment we are advocating to our State and Federal leaders to use their power to call for peace.
Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved by The City Council of the City of Minneapolis:
That the City of Minneapolis supports our State and Federal delegations and the Biden Administration using their authority to:
Advance a full, immediate, and permanent ceasefire, along with urgently needed humanitarian aid as a necessary step towards lasting peace.
Support an end to U.S. military funding to the State of Israel, and an end to U.S. tax dollars contributing to humanitarian catastrophe and loss of life.
Ensure the release of all Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.
Ensure the release of thousands of Palestinians held indefinitely without cause and trial in Israeli military prisons.
Now, Be it Finally Resolved that the Office of the City Clerk provide a copy of this Resolution to Minneapolis’ elected representatives to the Minnesota State Legislature, and Minnesota’s elected representatives to the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate.