The Schenectady City Council has been unable to come together to pass a ceasefire resolution for the people of Gaza. So the people of Schenectady will! The people will pass a resolution proving the power of the people and our commitment to bend the arc toward justice.

Below is the specific language of the proposed People’s Resolution. We’ve already collected over 1,000 signatures calling for the City of Schenectady to pass a resolution for an immediate ceasefire to end civilian bloodshed, free hostages and political prisoners, and ensure humanitarian aid access to Gaza. We’re being fully transparent about the language of the People’s Resolution.

We ask all individuals 18 years of age or older who are Schenectady residents, faith leaders, business owners, employees and visitors to sign and share!

RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A CEASEFIRE IN GAZA

WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady believes that every human should live in an environment of safety, freedom, dignity and equality; and

WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady is united against all forms of violence including racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia in all forms, and recognizes all life as precious; and

WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady condemns the violent attack by the armed body of Hamas on Israeli citizens and other civilians on October 7th resulting in the death of over 1,100 and kidnapping of hundreds, 125 of whom remain in captivity; and

WHEREAS, the city of Schenectady vehemently condemns the plausible genocide undertaken by the government of Israel upon the Palestinian population as a form of collective punishment; and

WHEREAS, this approach by the Israeli government which started on October 8 has resulted in the mass displacement of over 2,000,000 Palestenians, the murders of over 40,000 Palestinian civilians in Gaza and over 500 in the West Bank, and injured more than 86,000; and

WHEREAS, Palestinian people have lost access to almost all electricity, drinking water, food, medical care, and humanitarian aid; and

WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady recognizes that a lasting resolution that affirms human rights can only be achieved by peaceful and diplomatic means, as demonstrated by the diplomatic negotiations that resulted in the release of hostages and political prisoners held by Hamas and the current government of Israel in November 2023; and

WHEREAS, the United States has supplied the State of Israel with more than $12 Billion in military aid since October 8, 2023 while those funds could have been used to support local communities including the more than 28,000 households in the City of Schenectady who do not earn enough to afford the basic necessities where they live;

WHEREAS, we demand the United States government end all U.S. military aid used by the government of Israel against civilians and leverage any and all diplomatic relationships necessary “to prevent further violence and civilian deaths”; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Schenectady calls upon our leaders in Albany and Washington to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire; the release of all hostages and political prisoners; the swift and unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza; the restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza; the restoration of UNRWA funding by the U.S; the protection of all journalists; and calls for a resolution based on peaceful diplomacy that protects the security of all innocent civilians; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Schenectady vows to protect the dignity and safety of residents in every community; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is directed to send a copy of this resolution to President Joe Biden, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Representative Paul Tonko, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator James Tedisco, State Assemblyman Phil Steck, State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, and the city councils in the Greater Capital Region, urging them to take immediate action to use their position and influence to end violence.