Civil rights group says failure to pass measure a ‘missed opportunity to exhibit moral courage’ by key lawmakers
The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today applauded advocates who tirelessly lobbied to pass SJ0005/HJ0002 Joint Resolution for Ceasefire in the 2024 session of the Maryland General Assembly and called key state lawmakers’ failure to move the measure forward a missed opportunity to exhibit moral courage and stand with humanity amidst genocide at a pivotal moment in history.
In a statement, CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“Despite Governor Moore’s call for a ceasefire, 100K+ calls and emails by constituents to state lawmakers over the last two months that crashed servers and flooded phone lines multiple times, eighty witnesses signing up with only a few hours’ notice to testify with grace, courage, dignity and sincerity urging lawmakers’ support, with only 3 anti-Palestinian witnesses testifying opposing this legislation, House Rules Committee Chair Anne Healey failed to bring it up for a vote by Monday’s critical crossover deadline that would have ensured it had a chance of passing. Senate Rules Committee Chair Shelly Hettleman declined to grant a hearing for the Senate crossfile joint resolution.”
Over 40,000 Palestinian civilians – mostly children and women – have been murdered by the Israeli government in the last 167 days using weapons supplied by billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars.
Blocking this resolution from moving forward at this critical juncture reflects a lack of regard for one of the most pressing issues to constituents this session.
While the resolution didn’t pass, the community of advocates who emailed, made phone calls, attended lobby day, testified at the House hearing, carried signs and sat in offices, all had a significant impact this session. For the first time, they helped center the cause for Palestinian human rights in the state capital.
They spoke truth to power despite attempts to silence and censor them. Because of their courage, lawmakers confronted facts and narratives that many had never been exposed to before.
The testimonies given on record memorialize compelling stories, experiences and perspectives that are now permanently documented in the legislature’s archives.
It’s unfortunate that some lawmakers will have to tell their grandchildren that they failed to speak up against genocide when they had the opportunities to do so.
But we’re grateful for the steadfast and principled allyship of many other lawmakers with moral conviction who are on the right side of history. These include Delegate Gabriel Acevero and Senator Joanne Benson who introduced the ceasefire resolution in the House and Senate, as well as Delegates Ashanti Martinez, Caylin Young, Tiffany Alston, Sheree Sample-Hughes, Kent Roberson, Veronica Turner, Diana Fennel and Terri Young who co-sponsored the House Joint Resolution.
Despite this outcome, the fight for a ceasefire is stronger than ever, and the movement for justice for Palestine is growing.”
Earlier this week, CAIR welcomed Governor Wes Moore’s support for the Palestinian people alongside Israelis and his call for an immediate ceasefire on the ‘Kojo Nnamdi Show.’
Governor Moore joins at least 66 members of congress, dozens of U.S. cities and counties and nearly 70 percent of Americans in calling for an end to the injustices, violence and bloodshed.
CAIR recently applauded the Town of Cheverly in Prince George’s County, and the City of Takoma Park in Montgomery County on passing resolutions calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
SEE: Town of Cheverly Passes Ceasefire Resolution
CAIR Welcomes Takoma Park City Council Resolution Supporting a Gaza Ceasefire
The Town of Cheverly and the City of Takoma Park join Montgomery, Howard and Anne Arundel Counties; and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representatives Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin and David Trone from Maryland’s congressional delegation, all who have expressed support for a ceasefire in Gaza ceasefire in recent weeks.
Research from the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, a think tank with offices in Washington, D.C. and Dearborn, MI, shows that the overwhelming majority of Muslims, and Jewish democrats favor a ceasefire.
SEE: Majority of Muslim and Jewish Democrats Favor a Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com