Frank Sterling holds a placard after a particular assembly of the Antioch City Council failed to fulfill a quorum on March 19, 2024.
ANTIOQUIA – A gathering of the Antioch City Council to debate the ceasefire in Gaza was canceled Tuesday evening as a result of a majority of the council didn’t attend.
Council members Mike Barbanica, Lori Ogorchuk, and Monica Wilson didn’t attend the assembly, which prevented the general public from listening to a scheduled dialogue on the council’s potential place on the Israel-Hamas warfare. There wasn’t.
Barbanica, who was later contacted, mentioned he had informed the mayor per week in the past that he had an appointment. Ogorchuk later mentioned he did not know concerning the assembly till he was reminded by metropolis officers on Saturday. “I had different plans and I wasn’t going to vary them,” she mentioned.
Meanwhile, Wilson couldn’t be reached for remark.
When it turned clear the listening to wouldn’t proceed, Councilwoman Tamisha Torres Walker stood exterior the doorways of City Hall, visibly upset. About 25 residents attended the primary assembly Torres-Walker referred to as in January.
“I feel we should always all be on the precise facet of historical past at this level,” Torres Walker informed a bunch of residents ready exterior. “And we should always all be saddened by what we have seen and witnessed.”
Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe, the one different elected official in attendance, remained behind the City Council podium.
A scarcity of quorum killed off dialogue of a cease-fire decision in Antioch, however the situation has been raised in different Bay Area cities. Richmond turned the primary U.S. municipality to approve a decision supporting a ceasefire in October, adopted by Oakland and San Francisco, however Hayward lately introduced plans to promote stakes within the metropolis to 4 corporations with ties to Israel. I voted. The Gilroy City Council voted towards the decision, and the City of Albany shaped a City Council committee to contemplate taking a stance.
On Tuesday evening, Torres-Walker referred to as on the viewers to attend the council assembly, regardless of which facet they’re on.
“I feel it is sensible to make clear the place folks stand on this situation in order that we might be clear about the place we stand in November,” he mentioned of the autumn election.
Inside the council chambers, native residents referred to as on the mayor to reschedule the assembly.
“We have lots of points with homelessness, policing and different public issues of safety,” Hernandez-Thorpe mentioned. “If there are members who wish to request one other particular session, we’d be completely happy to take action, however it could take workers time, so a majority of the council must make the request.”
The mayor added that any metropolis council member can name a particular assembly.
“I’m right here as a result of I’m overseeing the assembly, however I have never determined whether or not to assist the ceasefire decision or not as a result of I need to know what the suggestions are,” he mentioned.
Some residents have been prepared to debate the Middle East warfare, however the Gaza Health Ministry mentioned 31,000 folks had died since Israel launched a counteroffensive after Hamas killed about 1,200 folks and took hostages in Israel. More than one Palestinian was killed. October seventh.
Community member Michael Keene mentioned the decision would “instantly and unconditionally launch girls, youngsters, rape victims, and hostages held by Hamas.” Arrest all these accountable for the bloodbath. “We is not going to permit Hamas to take part in authorities actions after the rescue.”
However, native physician Dr. Omail Alam mentioned that what occurred on October 7 didn’t justify the deaths of civilians, together with the demise of a kid.
“More than 700 well being staff have died,” he mentioned. “That’s about 4 healthcare staff a day. I am unable to think about shedding one colleague in a hospital, not to mention 4 in a day.
“We care concerning the lives of black and brown folks over there,” Arum mentioned. “We care concerning the lives of Black and Brown folks right here. And realizing that our leaders care too makes a distinction.”
“I hear you and I see every part you see,” Hernandez-Thorpe replied, calling what was taking place in Gaza “disastrous.”
Frank Sterling of Contra Costa 4 Palestine referred to as on all Congress to take swift motion.
“I feel what I’m sensing from the room is a second of nice urgency,” he mentioned. “We know there are challenges, however we really feel the time for daring management is now.”