Evansville City Council will not consider Gaza ceasefire resolution despite public support

EVANSVILLE — Despite weeks of community effort, the Evansville City Council will not bring a Gaza ceasefire resolution up for a possible vote.

The local Veterans for Peace chapter asked city council members to support peace in Gaza in March by passing a non-binding resolution which would have stated, in part, "council desires a lasting bilateral ceasefire, release of all hostages, and unrestricted humanitarian aid."

Council member Mary Allen, D-At-Large, who supported the resolution, read a statement during Monday's city council meeting expressing regret it would not come to the floor.

Allen initially told the Courier & Press she planed to sponsor the resolution, and would be working to get two additional councilors signed on.

City council passed an ordinance in 2021 that made it necessary to have three members sponsor a resolution for it to come to the council floor.

"I am disappointed, and I understand if you are, too," Allen said. "But we can continue in hope and consider to speak out for peace."

Allen's statement came after multiple members of the public spoke during the comment portion of the meeting asking council to bring the resolution forward.

It also comes after members of the public have attended every meeting since March to speak on the record in favor of the resolution, as well as multiple community-led efforts to bring attention to the war in Gaza.

In public comment the Courier & Press has witnessed, no members of the public have asked the council not to consider the resolution.

"I understand that there are folks throughout the community and people in this city who don't think we should insert ourselves into geo-political issues," Allen said. "However, nations are made of states and states are made of cities and cities are made of people."

Allen said the voices of those people coming together can make a difference.

Several other cities around the United States have seen communities rally around ceasefire resolutions and get them passed by local boards.

The Bloomington City Council approved a resolution calling for a ceasefire earlier this month, and ultimately overrode the city's mayor who vetoed it when it came to her desk.

In February, Reuters reported more than 70 cities had passed ceasefire resolutions.

"I do believe this conflict is impacting our community. I believe peace abroad is intricately connected to peace at home and vice versa," Allen said. "I've received two and half times the emails in regard to this resolution than I have CenterPoint."

Allen said there are some on the council who believe passing the resolution would cause harm for people in the community.

No other member of city council spoke on the issue Monday evening, but that is not unusual. Council typically follows a rule that they do not respond to those speaking during public comment directly in the meeting.

"I do respect their thoughts and opinions," Allen said. "However, I will say I will always believe it is better to speak up for peace rather than stay silent."

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville City Council will not consider Gaza ceasefire resolution