New Carrollton, Maryland passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on June 19, 2024

Affirming the City of New Carrollton’s commitment to human rights and support for congressional and worldwide calls for a permanent ceasefire in Palestine.

WHEREAS, the City of New Carrollton 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, for residents, municipal government is the closest proximity to governing power; through which passage of a local resolution allows for an acknowledged, collective approach, in addition to others, towards advocacy and a redress of grievances before governing bodies with greater authority and jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, the City of New Carrollton 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 anti- Semitic, Islamophobic, racist, homophobic, and xenophobic attacks across the nation; and

WHEREAS, since October 7, 2023, over 1,000 Israelis and over 36,000 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have been killed, of whom over 15,000 are children; and

WHEREAS, since October 7, 2023, over 8,000 Israelis and over 81,000 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have been injured; and

WHEREAS, since October 7, 2023, over 10,000 Palestinians in Gaza are missing; and

WHEREAS, the City of New Carrollton 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, as a result of the Israeli bombardment of homes, hospitals, schools, and vital infrastructure, 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, entire neighborhoods, infrastructure, hospitals, schools, and places of worship have been destroyed, contributing to the erasure of Palestinian communities and culture; 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 in accordance with worldwide opinion and international humanitarian law to end the Israeli government’s assault on Gaza, 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, a poll released by Data for Progress on December 5, 2023 states that 61% of all likely voters in the United States support a permanent ceasefire and de- escalation of violence in Gaza; and

WHEREAS, the City of New Carrollton has a history of sharing statements on issues happening outside our town 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, a tool created by the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights indicates that nearly $163,000 of tax money from New Carrollton residents are fueling these atrocities; and

WHEREAS, the United States holds immense diplomatic power and has the opportunity to save Israeli and Palestinian lives; and

WHEREAS, our state and federal leaders have the power invested in them by their constituents to call for peaceful use of said constituents’ resources to meet human needs in our country and abroad rather than fund the killing and displacement of civilians.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the City Council, that the City of New Carrollton joins other cities and towns across the nation in calling on our elected leaders to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Palestine, release of all political prisoners, unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza, funding aid to the affected Gazans, and calls for a resolution that protects the security of all innocent civilians.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of New Carrollton joins the many calls around the US for our federal government and congress to take effective action to stop this genocide by desisting from sending military funding and supplies to Israel.

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, County Council Member Eric C. Olson, State Senator Alonzo Washington, State Delegate Anne Healey, State Delegate Ashanti Martinez, State Delegate Nicole Williams, 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 AND ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW CARROLLTON, MARYLAND THIS 19th DAY OF JUNE 2024.