Akron City Council’s chambers overflowed Monday with supporters calling for council to adopt an “immediate ceasefire resolution and humanitarian corridors in Gaza with immediate delivery of water, medical supplies, fuel and food,” according to the resolution’s language.
More than 25 attendees spoke in support of the resolution during the meeting’s public comment period and asked council members to acknowledge their voices and pass it.
“I was here earlier today and I listened to the chair of [the Rules] Committee explain that the resolution needed to simmer for one week,” Samer Badawi said. “This as the average death count of Palestinian children in Gaza goes up by a thousand each week.”
The proposed resolution asks for an immediate Israeli ceasefire so civilians who live in Gaza can access essential supplies and services. It also calls for the immediate release of civilians being illegally detained, demanding their safety and humane treatment “in compliance with international law.”
The resolution also calls for the “affirmation of Akron’s status as a welcoming community for those of the Jewish and Islamic religions, and encourages residents to offer condolences to both the Jewish and Palestinian communities.”
Attendees held up signs with bold letters stating “Palestinian Lives Matter.” One speaker, Janos Jalics, unfurled a Palestinian flag and shouted “Free Palestine” as the time allotted to speak expired. Some were dressed in keffiyeh scarves or items of clothing, symbols of Palestinian nationalism, to show their support.
Activists and pro-Palestinian protesters have attended Akron City Council meetings and protested outside City Hall since a resolution condemning the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants in Israel was unanimously passed Oct. 16 by council.
Council members Russ Neal and Tara Mosely introduced the resolution Monday during a Rules Committee meeting earlier in the day, but voted to wait a week before taking any action on it.
While the council meeting proceeded, chants from protesters outside the building could be heard inside the chamber.
Some speakers held back tears, others shouted through their statements, and some calmly shared their personal experiences and desperation for an end to the violence.
“I want to emphasize that the blanket assumption that criticism of a state’s policies equates animosity towards an entire ethno-religious group oversimplifies geopolitical issues and stifles constructive dialogue,” Yaseen Shaikh said. “I’m disappointed that despite overwhelming support to issue a new resolution calling for a ceasefire, this council decided not to take action.”
As Shaikh finished speaking, many in the council chambers applauded, which led to a warning from President of Council Margo Sommerville that, if disruptions persisted, the chambers would be emptied.
Sommerville spent much of the meeting sporadically commanding “order in the chambers,” which led attendees to instead snap their fingers in support of nearly every speaker’s testimony.
Many speakers emphasized America’s values of freedom, liberty and justice for all, asking council members if they believed these ideals are meant for everyone. Other speakers addressed the history of Israel’s relationship with Palestinians and how it affects them personally. Many spoke about human rights and which side of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict they believe will be the right side of history.
“We at least can use our voice to say that we don’t support this, because when you don’t say anything, you’re just helping the aggressor,” Ashley White said.
After all attendees were given their chance to speak, with some appearing over Zoom, council members responded to the community’s criticism and opinions.
Council Member Linda Omobien said her “heart breaks for all the unnecessary violence and killing all over” and said council needs to “do better.”
