From:
To: City Council
Subject: Public Comment on 2/20/2024 Ceasefire Resolution (pulled from consent) Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2024 8:39:40 PM
Dear Council Members,
I wrote you earier today in support of the ceasefire resolution that was on the council agenda.
Like many of us, I was upset when the item was pulled. However, I did attend in person the opening part of tonight’s meeting, in which people spoke under Public Comment. As I’m sure you all observed, the discussion was calm, rational, and devoid of name calling. People in the community appear to be motivated not by anger, but by a profound moral concern and a love for peace.
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) said in their memo to you that “the emotionally charged nature of the subject, has led in some instance to disruption and even violence.” While some bay area council meetings have gotten occasionally loud and raucous, there has been no violence. With all due respect, I believe the JCRC used that as an excuse to motivate you to pull the item in hopes that 1) it won’t return, or 2) when it does return they will have had more time to mobilize their supporters.
Sebastopol has a history of peaceful, thoughtful and moral politics. When you bring the item up again (assuing you will), I am sure that supporters of the resolution will be calm, peaceful and principled in their advocacy. I can’t speak for the other side.
Please trust your community and bring this item up again. Every week that goes by without a ceasefire another thousand Gazans die and countless more are wounded by the Israeli military.
The death and illness due to malnutrition, inadequate shelter and waterborn diseases will be monumental in the coming months. And as you well know, it is our tax dollars and political support that permit this genocide to continue.
Please do the right thing and join the growing number of cities and organizations around the world that are calling for a ceasefire.
Thank you.
Larry Hendel