Agenda Item #11.1 Layla Dee Received 02 26 2024.pdfCAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening
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From:Layla Dee101
To:Public Comments; All Council Members
Subject:EXTERNAL - Permanent ceasefire
Date:Sunday, February 25, 2024 9:34:33 AM
Hello, I hope this email reaches you in good health. My ask if for your consideration of a Permanent
Ceasefire in Palestine and an end to the siege in Gaza and the occupation.
·Points/facts that counter opposition propaganda being spread:
(False claim by those who want killings to continue- "Resolutions cause
division") Reality: an important note that This resolution will unite all
individuals in Gilroy and that Gilroy stands strong together. There is
absolutely no evidence or research that resolutions or proclamations such as
this one led to any increased division and hate locally. Just as the Gilroy
“support Ukraine” proclamation, “Stand United Against Hate” resolution
passed in Gilroy did not lead to increased hate or division in Gilroy. On the
contrary, all those resolutions beautifully united all the Gilroy community to
support all community members get targeted. Just as Bullying policies in
Gilroy School District does not lead to increased bullying.
(False claim by those who want killings to continue- "city does not make
statements in international affairs") In April 2022 Gilroy City Council
unanimously pass the “Support for Ukraine Proclamation”. Gilroy needs to
show the same leadership and equity now to pass a ceasefire resolution and
advocate for sustainable peace in Palestine and Israel for an immediate end
to the killings of all innocent civilians and the release of all Palestinian and
Israeli hostages. Innocent Palestinian lives should be valued just as much as
the innocent Ukrainian lives were by the council in April 2022.
***Additional bullet points to educate the council members:
Last council meeting on February 5, Gilroy residents shared how our local Gilroy
community is being directly impacted by the current atrocities in Palestine and
Israel. This ceasefire resolution is a unifying act to bring our community together as
one.
What occurs internationally is affecting our local Gilroy community. As horrifically
seen at Christopher HS two week ago, there are students and residents who are
experiencing a rise in targeted antisemitism and Islamophobia hate, and Gilroy
AGENDA ITEM #11.1
02/26/2024
REGULAR MEETING
children and community are looking to our council members to show true leadership
and "Stand United Against Hate" (SUAH resolution that was just passed by Gilroy council in
Nov 2023).
o It's been over 4 months since the killings in Israel and the continued killings in
Palestine escalated recently. Why do the lives of over 13,000+ Palestine children
who have been killed not being valued by the city council with a resolution as Gilroy
passed for Ukraine in 2022 within just weeks of the killings in Ukraine?
o UNICEF says 1,000 Palestinian children have had limbs amputated without
anesthesia due to the lack of basic medical resources.
o On average, more than 10 children per day have lost one or both of their legs in
Gaza in the past 4 month time period. (UN)
o According to the UN, women and children are the main victims in Gaza, with 2
mothers losing their lives every hour. There are currently over 66,000 children
orphaned in the past 4 months in Gaza.
o 85% of the 2.2M population in Gaza has been made homeless (1,870,000 people)
who are living in frigid temperatures with no shelter, no food, no water and no
electricity. (World Health Organization & UN)
o 90% of civilians in Gaza have regularly gone a full day without food and are
facing death by disease, injury, and starvation (1,980,000 people). (World Health
Organization & UN)
Palestinian Community Activist, Leader, and Founder of Palestine Freedom Project