HARTFORD, Conn. — The Hartford City Council met Monday evening to consider passing a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution would urge Connecticut’s congressional delegation to push for a ceasefire.
The resolution failed with six councilors choosing to abstain, two voting for and one against a ceasefire resolution.
Prior to the vote hundreds of people showed up to have their voices heard both in favor and against a ceasefire resolution.
Leaders from the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford opposed the resolution saying it absolves Hamas and the council should be focused on local issues.
“This kind of resolution doesn't belong in city halls. Municipal officials have no power over foreign policy. They need to deal with crime and budgets and drugs and all the urgent problems that we need to come together around and not divisive issues, not issues like this that are tearing people apart,” said David Waren, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford
Pro-Palestine supporters supported the move saying change on these international issues starts locally. “We're here to say not in our name. We do not want our tax dollars funding a genocide. We want our tax dollars funding good schools, funding public safety, funding better roads here in Hartford.”, said Eamon Ormseth, of Hartford.
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Only two Connecticut municipalities have passed similar resolutions, Bridgeport and Windsor. In recent weeks there has been pressure for Bridgeport City Councilors to overturn their ceasefire resolution.
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Jake Garcia is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. He can be reached at jgarcia@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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