A number of speakers asked the Aurora City Council at its Tuesday night meeting to pass a resolution calling for a cease fire in Gaza.
Some 11 speakers used the public comment part of the meeting to ask the council to consider a resolution on a permanent cease fire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Speakers focused much of their comments on why a local governmental body should be concerned about a national and international issue.
“Seventy U.S. cities have passed a resolution,” said Kamran Hussain. “Chicago passed the resolution. Aurora is the second-largest city in Illinois, so why not us? It’s not a resolution against anyone; it’s for peace.”
Speakers pointed out that Aurorans pay federal taxes, some of which goes to buy arms that the United States sells to Israel, arms used in the current war in Gaza. They also said since the war started, hate crimes in America – including locally – have increased.
Auroran Yumna Nabi said she experienced tension toward her in an Aurora store, and afterwards “was afraid to leave my house.”
“Hate crimes are on the rise,” she said. “I want to feel safe in our city.”
Khurshid Hod said humanitarianism is universal.
“We believe passing this resolution reflects Aurora’s commitment to equity and inclusion,” he said.
Michael White, from Aurora, said Aurora pays for lobbyists to represent the city in federal matters, so it would not be out of line to pass a resolution urging Congress or the federal government to act.
The passing of a cease fire resolution has been controversial throughout the Chicago suburbs. Bolingbrook recently passed such a resolution, and Batavia is considering one.
Cities such as Naperville and Evanston turned down resolutions, with Evanston officials turning it down a second time this week.
Cties across the country are considering the issue. The City Council in Columbus, Ohio, passed a cease fire resolution this week.
Aldermen listened to the speakers and took written material from them, including a copy of a proposed resolution. As is the rule with public comments at City Council meetings, aldermen did not address the speakers, nor did they give any indication if they would consider a cease fire resolution.
Speakers said they hope the council could vote on a cease fire resolution as early as April 2, the next full council meeting.
Mayor Richard Irvin did not attend the Tuesday meeting, which was run by Ald. Michael Saville, 6th Ward, the mayor pro tem.
slord@tribpub.com
