Mount Rainier, Maryland passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on June 18, 2024

A Resolution affirming the City of Mount Rainier, Maryland's commitment to human rights and support for congressional and worldwide calls for an immediate Ceasefire in Gaza, release of Hostages and condemning Antisemitic, anti-Palestinian and Islamophobie rhetoric and attacks

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

WHEREAS, the City of Mount Rainier 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, Anti-Palestinian, gender-based, and xenophobic attacks across the nation; and

WHEREAS, since October 7th, 2023, over 1,000 people in Israel and over 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in the past months, of whom over 13,000 are Palestinian Children; and

WHEREAS, the City of Mount Rainier 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 worsens 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, dating back decades, the City of Mount Rainier has a history of adopting resolutions on diverse issues happening outside our City borders that impact our constituents here at home in numerous ways, including morally, and acknowledges that we have the right and duty to speak on this matter as well as the many other atrocities and emergencies around the world; and

WHEREAS, the City of Mount Rainier is committed to ensuring that our neighbors of all backgrounds, including those from Arab, Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian background are affirmed of their worth; and

WHEREAS, The United States holds immense diplomatic power and influence globally, including though the use of tax dollars, has the opportunity to save lives in Israel and Palestine and the region and in this moment, we are advocating to our state and Federal Leaders to use their power to call for peace; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY OF MOUNT RAINIER, MARYLAND joins other cities and towns in our state, county, 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 and safeguarded entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, the restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza, and calls for a 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 Anne Healey, State Delegate Dianna Fennell, State Delegate Deni Taveras, Governor of Maryland Wes Moore, US Representative Glenn Ivey, US Senator Ben Cardin, NS 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.