College Park, Maryland passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on May 14, 2024

Resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park for Gaza Peace and a Return of Israeli Hostages

WHEREAS, the City of College Park has committed in word and in deed to the idea that all people are inherently of equal value and deserving of the same rights; and

WHEREAS, the City of College Park advocates for the safety, dignity, freedom, and equality of all people of all faiths and beliefs, races, ethnicities, and nationalities; and

WHEREAS, we as local leaders stand firmly against the recent rise of antisemitic, Islamophobic, racist, homophobic, and xenophobic attacks across the nation; and

WHEREAS, since October 7, 2023, over 1,000 people in Israel and over 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in those months, of whom over 12,000 are children; and

WHEREAS, the City of College Park recognizes that the current crisis takes place within a long history and affirms that, for a pathway to lasting peace and justice to be developed, the root causes of that crisis need to be addressed; and

WHEREAS, Gaza is in a dire humanitarian crisis that is getting worse with each passing day, with a severe lack of medical aid, food, clean water, and shelter, and over 2,000,000 Palestinians are facing displacement, homelessness, and starvation; and

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization, the United Nations, Save the Children, Human Rights Watch, USAID, International Rescue Committee, his Holiness, Pope Francis, more than 120 countries, and countless other organizations in Maryland and around the world have called for a permanent ceasefire to end the violence and suffering in Gaza and to be in accordance with international humanitarian law. Doctors without Borders has advocated for "a total ceasefire and the unconditional supply of humanitarian aid including access to food, fuel, and water. Survival of people in Gaza depends on this;" and

WHEREAS, the City of College Park has a history of sharing statements on issues happening outside our city borders that impact our constituents here at home, and acknowledges that there are countless other atrocities around the world which also demand global attention and aid; and

WHEREAS, the United States holds immense diplomatic power and has the opportunity to save both Israeli and Palestinian lives 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 Mayor and Council of the City of College Park, Maryland, we join other cities and towns across the nation in calling on our elected leaders to demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire by all involved parties, release of all hostages, the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, the restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza, and calls for the resolution that protects the security of all innocent civilians; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to municipal elected leaders in Prince George's County, the offices of County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, County Council Chair Jolene Ivey, State Senator Malcolm Augustine, State Delegate Julian Ivey, State Delegate Dianna Fennell, Governor of Maryland Wes Moore, US Representative Glenn Ivey, US Senator Ben Cardin, US Senator Chris Van Hollen, US Vice President Kamala Harris, and US President Joe Biden, urging them to take immediate action to use their position and influence to end violence.

ADOPTED by the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park, Maryland at a regular meeting on the 14th day of May 2024.