A cease-fire proposal that was put to a vote in City Council this week had the backing of Chicago Unions.
Postponement of the Cease-Fire Resolution
More than two dozen alderpersons pushed for the council to postpone the voting on a cease-fire motion, which was initially set for Wednesday. This action does not necessarily reflect their ultimate voting positions.
Due to the “bad” scheduling of the cease-fire resolution vote on Holocaust Remembrance Day, which major progressive Jewish groups in Chicago called “disgraceful,” the vote on the resolution was postponed in the city council.
What Happened in the Chambers of City Hall
On Wednesday, as the Chicago City Council deliberated and finally postponed a vote on the resolution requesting a cease-fire in the Gaza War, protesters crowded city hall. People lost control while in the chambers. Alderman Raymond Lopez once reminded Mayor Brandon Johnson to act civility.
“It’s hard to maintain decorum when we see these atrocities in front of our eyes,” remarked Sigcho-Lopez. “Let’s not make a commitment that we come back to this very floor so that we act on our words and not continue pandering for votes.” Johnson discussed his position on the cease-fire after the meeting. “The killing has to stop, so yes, we need a cease-fire,” Johnson stated.
How the War Started
The war started on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise offensive in southern Israel. The terrorists returned to Gaza with about 250 hostages and killed about 1,200 people, the bulk of them civilians.
Since Israel began its offensive in reprisal for the attack, more than 25,400 Palestinians have died in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Unions Supporting the Cease-Fire
Students from almost a dozen CPS schools are organizing a walk-out scheduled for Tuesday, January 30, at noon, in favor of the cease-fire. Advocates for that endeavor claim that Chicago will become the biggest American city to approve a cease-fire if it succeeds.
Supporters of a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza are uniting at the United Electoral Workers Unit in Ashland as a show of solidarity in order to exert pressure on the city council to approve resolution on Wednesday that would end hostilities.
Written By Jalynn Harmon
Sources:
ABC7 News- Chicago unions call for Israel-Hamas cease-fire ahead of possible City Council vote on resolution
CBS News Chicago-Chicago City Council delays vote on resolution calling for cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war
Featured Image Courtesy of Ann Althouse Flickr Page– Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Charles Fulton Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
