Hyattsville, Maryland passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on November 4, 2024

A Resolution of the City Council of Hyattsville, Maryland, whereby the City affirms its commitment to human rights and support for congressional and worldwide calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.

WHEREAS, the City of Hyattsville is committed to the principle that all people are of equal value and deserving of the same rights; and

WHEREAS, the City of Hyattsville 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 rise of Antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks in Maryland and across the nation; and

WHEREAS, on October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel, killing more than 1,200 Israeli civilians, and taking 251 hostages, including men, women, and children, some of whom are still held captive, leading Israel to respond by invading Gaza;

WHEREAS, since October 7, 2023, 2,300 Lebanese, and more than 42,000 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have been killed, over 17,000 of whom are children, and nearly all of whom are civilians;

WHEREAS, Gaza is in a dire humanitarian crisis that is worsening with each passing day, with a lack of medical aid, food, clean water, and shelter, and almost two million Palestinians are displaced, homeless, and/or starving; and

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization, United Nations, Save the Children, Human Rights Watch, the US Agency for International Development, the International Rescue Committee, His Holiness Pope Francis, more than 120 countries, and countless other organizations in
Maryland, across the United States of America and around the world have called for a permanent ceasefire to end the violence and suffering in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Lebanon, and for Israel to comply with international humanitarian laws; and

WHEREAS, despite the deafening calls for an immediate ceasefire, and despite the United States official policy supporting a ceasefire, the conflict continues to escalate and has now grown into a regional war with multiple fronts;

WHEREAS, the U.S. Secretary ofState Antony Blink.en and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin sent a letter on October 13, 2024, to the State oflsrael Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer that includes a 30-day deadline for Israel to surge all forms of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza or risk possible restrictions on U.S. military aid; and

WHEREAS, the United States, through military aid and arms sales, provides Israel with roughly 69% of its total weaponry, and, as such, we have a moral imperative to help end the human suffering in Gaza and Lebanon by initiating an arms embargo unless humanitarian assistance is allowed into Gaza; and

WHEREAS, the City of Hyattsville is committed to ensuring that residents of all backgrounds, including those from Arab, Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian backgrounds are affirmed of their worth; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hyattsville joins other cities, towns, and counties across Maryland and the nation in calling on our elected leaders to demand: an immediate and permanent ceasefire; the unrestricted and safeguarded entry of humanitarian assistance or, in its absence, a U.S. arms embargo on Israel; the release of all hostages and political prisoners; the restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza; and the withdrawal of all Israel Defense Forces from Gaza and Lebanon;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution will be sent to municipal elected leaders in Prince George's County, the offices of County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, County Council Chair Jolene Ivey, District 2 County Councilmember Wanika Fisher, At-Large County Council Member Calvin Hawkins, State Senator Alonzo Washington, State Senator Malcolm Augustine, State Delegate Anne Healey, State Delegate Ashanti Martinez, State Delegate Nicole Williams, State Delegate Diana Fennell, State Delegate Julian Ivey, State Delegate Deni Taveras, Governor of Maryland Wes Moore, U.S. Representative Glenn Ivey, U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, and U.S. President Joe Biden, urging them to take immediate action to use their positions and influence to act on the goals of this resolution to end violence and promote democracy and human rights.

INTRODUCED by the Mayor and City Council of Hyattsville, Maryland, at a Regular Meeting on November 4, 2024.

ADOPTED by the Mayor and City Council of Hyattsville, Maryland, at a Regular Meeting on November 4, 2024.