After months of criticism, Tacoma City Council adopts Gaza ceasefire resolution
The Tacoma City Council on Tuesday passed a resolution in support of a ceasefire in Gaza. It’s what some people have been demanding for months.
After considerable debate, council members adopted a resolution, which reads in part: “The City of Tacoma will always stand in support of peaceful and diplomatic conflict resolution, including our national, state, and local leaders and community members who have called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the protection of humanitarian aid workers, and the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza.”
The resolution passed by an 8-0 vote with one absence (Councilmember Catherine Ushka).
Frustrated residents have appeared before council in recent weeks to push for a resolution calling for a permanent and immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It comes amid Israel’s military campaign against Hamas after the terrorist group launched an Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Since then, some 35,060 Palestinians and 1,139 people in Israel have been killed, according to a live tracker by Al Jazeera.
Some Tacomans have argued that city officials were dragging their feet on passing a ceasefire resolution, something that other metros across the country, including Seattle, had done months ago.
“I think that now is a really crucial moment and an important time for us to show our values,” Devin Rydel Kelly said virtually during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
This story was originally published May 1, 2024 at 2:25 PM.
