RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, CALLING FOR A BILATERAL CEASEFIRE AND IMMEDIATE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE ONGOING CONFLICT AND HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IMPACTING GAZA AND ISRAEL.
WHEREAS Part I of the City Charter states; We, the people of the City of Riverside believe in promoting an inclusive community with shared economic, environmental and cultural prosperity, equal civil and political rights, social harmony and cohesion, and opportunities for all; and WHEREAS, the City of Riverside’s Inclusive Community Statement reads; A city of considerable racial, ethnic, religious, and other types of diversity, Riverside has etched a complex history. That history has included both significant efforts to achieve greater justice, equality, and understanding, as well as unfortunate periods and events that have demonstrated the need for increased commitment, ideas, and action to work toward these goals; and WHEREAS, the City of Riverside has a longstanding commitment to advocating for compassion, peace, social harmony, safety, and fostering a mutual respect and understanding for all people, regardless of religion, race or nationality; and WHEREAS, the City of Riverside pursues a responsibility to uphold the values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and equality; and WHEREAS, the ongoing conflict in The Middle East has resulted in the tragic loss of many thousands of innocent civilian Israeli and Palestinian lives, and increasing reports of Antisemitic, Islamophobic, Anti-Jewish and Anti-Arab incidents; and WHEREAS, on October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a terrorist attack causing the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the capture of innocent civilians as hostages; and WHEREAS, in response, the State of Israel has engaged in a bombing campaign detrimentally impacting civilian populations including hospitals, schools, churches, mosques, refugee camps, and entire residential buildings has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, severe famine, and the displacement of over 1 million people of the Gaza Strip; and WHEREAS, more than 27,000 Palestinian innocent civilians in Gaza have been killed by Israel as of January 31, 2024. Over 10,000 of those killed in Gaza are children; and WHEREAS, over 122 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, which has led to more journalists being killed in three months than in all of World War II or the Vietnam War; and WHEREAS, we have seen increasing reports of Antisemitic, Islamophobic, Anti-Jewish and Anti-Arab incidents in Riverside and the Inland Empire; and WHEREAS, many of our community members have suffered from an alarming rise in Antisemitism and Islamophobia; and WHEREAS, the City of Riverside stands firmly on the foundations of peace, unity, respect, understanding and the universal value and preciousness of all lives: and WHEREAS, the City of Riverside U.S. Sister City program officially began in 1956, Riverside has led the way in programs that foster friendship, understanding, and encourage trade and tourism. Today, cities like Riverside are well-positioned to form international partnerships that will result in shared benefits across the globe; and WHEREAS, 7 of 8 countries where Riverside’s sister cities are located voted on December 12, 2023, at the United Nations General Assembly to demand a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. This included the People’s Republic of China, Ghana, India, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, and Vietnam, along with 146 countries; and WHEREAS, our Riverside core values of engaged compassion recognizes that it is only through action and application of our values that we can promote true peace and stand against the perpetuation of violence by rejecting silence, apathy, and hopelessness; and WHEREAS, the City of Riverside as a local government organization can continue to contribute to the collective efforts of a global society to promote a culture of peace, understanding, and cooperation, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond local borders. / /
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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Riverside, California, as follows:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Riverside hereby unequivocally and without prejudice, condemns; terrorist acts; every form of avoidable, unnecessary, unlawful violence that results in the death, injury, displacement, or mortal endangerment of innocent civilians; intolerance, racism and xenophobia, including Antisemitic, Islamophobic, Anti-Arab, and Anti-Jewish sentiments, rhetoric, and attacks in our region, nation and across the world; and specifically the violent actions of Hamas of October 7, 2023 and the violent acts committed by the Israel Defense Forces, and extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Section 2. The City Council of the City of Riverside hereby supports Congressional Resolution H.R. 786 and joins other cities in calling on Congress and the Biden administration to demand: an immediate bilateral ceasefire; an immediate release of all hostages Hamas took on October 7, 2023; urgent safe passage and delivery of substantial and sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza; and a lasting political resolution that protects the lives, health, and security of all innocent civilians.
Section 3. The City Council requests that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the City’s delegation of federal representatives and disseminated to any requesting interested parties.
Section 4. The City Clerk shall attest and certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution, and it shall become effective immediately upon its approval.
ADOPTED by the City Council this _____ day of ___________________, 2024. _____________________________________
PATRICIA LOCK DAWSON
Mayor of the City of Riverside
Attest:
_____________________________
DONESIA GAUSE
City Clerk of the City of Riverside
I, Donesia Gause, City Clerk of the City of Riverside, California, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Riverside, at its meeting held on the ______ day of _________________, 2024, by the following vote, to wit:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Riverside, California, this ________ day of ______________, 2024. __________________________________
DONESIA GAUSE
City Clerk of the City of Riverside
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3 City Attorney’s Office3750 University Avenue, Suite 250Riverside, CA 92501 (951) 826-5567City Attorney’s Office3750 University Avenue, Suite 250Riverside, CA 92501 (951) 826-5567 City Attorney’s Office
3750 University Avenue,
Suite 250
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
City Attorney’s Office
3750 University Avenue,
Suite 250
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
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