From:
To: Mary Gourley; City Council
Subject: Support for a Permanent CeaseFire
Date: Sunday, March 31, 2024 8:19:52 AM
Esteemed City Council Members,
My name is Christy Lubin and I am a long time teacher at Analy High School and have been a resident of west county for more than 35 years. I am emailing in support of a permanent ceasefire resolution, and implore you to put the resolution back on the agenda and vote YES! Sebastopol is self-proclaimed "Peacetown, USA." How can we call ourselves Peacetown if we don't take the brave and urgent measures needed to support peace internationally?
Sebastopol has supported many international peace initiatives in the past -- notably, opposition to the war in Ukraine, with our sister city Chyhyryn. We have a precedent for supporting international peace initiatives.
The previously proposed ceasefire resolution is balanced -- it calls for an end to all armed hostilities on both sides, a return of all hostages, and for long-term peace work to be prioritized in Israel/Palestine. Now is the time for clear and decisive action in support of long-term peace solutions. If Sebastopol agendizes and passes this resolution, we will join a long list of cities in support of a ceasefire (including Cotati, Richmond, Oakland, San Francisco); we will set an example for the rest of Sonoma County. This action will be part of Sebastopol's legacy; if the City Council fails to act, this will also be part of "Peacetown's" legacy.
I recognize that this is a difficult decision. Many people are in opposition to this resolution. There is a lot of fear here, particularly from Jewish residents, and I feel empathy for those residents. But the previously proposed resolution does not endanger or promote violence towards anybody, internationally or locally. This resolution promotes peace. Peace unites us, it doesn't divide us. War divides us.
I implore you to do the right thing and take a stand for the peace and dignity of all innocent civilians, in both Israel and Palestine. Please consider putting a ceasefire resolution back on the agenda, and voting YES at the next meeting.
Sincerely,
Christy Lubin
, CA