Originally published in the Winter 2024 edition of the Virginia Defender, issue 74, printed February 21. Reproduced here for accessibility and archival purposes. To find other stories in the Winter 2024 issue or to download the full PDF, see this post. For other issues dating back to 2012, see the Full Issues page.

By Danielle DiBlasio. Photo by Ainsleigh Gil.

Richmond City Council chambers were filled to capacity the night of Feb. 12, requiring the use of an overflow room to accommodate all the attendees. It was the third general Council meeting this year and the second since members of the Richmond community proposed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The resolution was drafted by a coalition of local organizations, including the Richmond chapters of American Muslims for Palestine, Democratic Socialists of America and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Students for Justice in Palestine.

The resolution outlines the many documented cases of war crimes and violations of international human rights laws by Israel and resolves that the City of Richmond (1) support an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza; (2) support the release of all hostages, both Israelis and detained Palestinians; (3) call for the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, coupled with the restoration of basic services; and finally, (4) affirm Council’s commitment to ensuring the safety and dignity of all Richmond residents by combating anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism.

Since the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, more than 28,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed by the Israeli attacks on Gaza, a small enclave that Israel has militarily blockaded for the past 16 years. More than 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been displaced and, according to the United Nations, a quarter now face starvation.

Over the past two months, proponents of the Richmond resolution have offered powerful testimony, speaking from a diverse array of perspectives. In the January council meeting, speaking as an individual, Mads McElgunn, a proud and active member of Congregation Beth Ahabah, spoke about how core Jewish values have informed their own pro-Palestinian actions and beliefs. Jasmine Cuellar, a student of Environmental Studies and Sociology at VCU, cited the long-lasting environmental impacts that Israel’s bombing campaign will have, not just on Gaza, but the global community.

Despite the persistence of the community and the clear rising interest in the ceasefire resolution, there has been little feedback from Council members. Second District representative Katherine Jordan has responded to community requests by stating that council does not “have any purview on foreign conflicts.”

However, during the Feb. 12 public comment period, VCU professor Mark Wood noted that Council has in fact previously used its position to petition the state and federal government. Wood urged council members to invoke this privilege again by supporting the proposed resolution.

Clearly, Richmond City Council members will not be able to continue to ignore the issue, as the community is determined to keep showing up and demanding acknowledgment.

As Palestinian-American healthcare worker Mariam Oweis stated to council, “You’re politicians put into power by the people; LISTEN to the people.”

The next general meeting of Richmond City Council is Monday, Feb. 26. Community members have also turned out at city council meetings in Alexandria, Newport News and Norfolk to promote a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.