Photo credit: Gente Organizada
(LOS ANGELES, CA – 1/23/2024) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today commended council members of the city of Pomona, California, for adopting a resolution that acknowledges the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and calls for a ceasefire.
On Monday, Jan. 22, the Pomona City Council meeting agenda included a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid. The resolution also acknowledges the alarming rise of Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Arab hate targeting the Muslim, Jewish, and Palestinian communities. The resolution states:
The City Council of the City of Pomona hereby supports Congressional Resolution H.R. 786, and joins other cities in calling on Congress and the Biden administration to demand: an immediate ceasefire; an immediate release of all hostages Hamas took on October 7, 2023; urgent safe passage and delivery of substantial and sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza; and a lasting political resolution that protects the lives, health, and security of all innocent civilians.
The resolution passed in a near-unanimous vote, with six council members voting yes and Councilmember Robert Torres abstaining. Dozens of community members from diverse backgrounds participated in the public comments to urge the city council to recognize the genocide in Gaza and call for a ceasefire.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Policy and Advocacy Manager Basha Jamil said:
“We commend the Pomona City Council for listening to the voices of their constituents who echo the call of millions nationwide for an immediate ceasefire. By passing a ceasefire resolution, the council is taking a stand for peace and against all forms of hate in our community. We hope leaders in other cities will show the same solidarity demonstrated by the Pomona city councilmembers and stand with the people of Palestine facing genocide and ethnic cleansing.”
Since Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza began on Oct. 7, it has destroyed entire residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure, displaced over one million people, and killed over 25,000 civilians, including 10,000 children. Human rights organizations and advocates from all over the world have stated that Israel’s cutting off food, water, electricity, and medicine while it also indiscriminately drops bombs on homes, hospitals, bakeries, schools, mosques, churches and even refugee camps in Gaza, amounts to war crimes.
CAIR-LA urges all local and national leaders to stand for peace and justice by supporting the Ceasefire Now Resolution (HR 786).
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com