On Monday, March 4, the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations plans to join State Delegate Gabriel Acevero, State Senator Joanne Benson, and the interfaith community at a news conference in Annapolis urging lawmakers to pass SJ5/HJ2 Ceasefire Resolution.
WHAT: Annapolis Interfaith News Conference for Gaza Ceasefire
WHEN: Monday, March 4, 10 am
WHERE: Miller Senate Office Building, Senate Media Room, 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD
CONTACT: Victoria Robles, gabriel.acevero@house.state.md.us; CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062
SJ5/HJ2 calls for an immediate, long-term (permanent) ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, the return of all Israeli hostages and delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid. The resolution acknowledges the catastrophic loss of life on October 7th and condemn Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab bigotry. It urges Maryland’s congressional delegation to support a ceasefire and calls for a diplomatic and humanitarian response.
“What is happening in Gaza is a tragedy,” said Delegate Acevero, a Democrat from Montgomery County. “The targeting of civilians, and the use of food, water and medicine as a weapon of war is a violation of international humanitarian law.”
“Senate Joint Resolution 5 and House Joint Resolution 2 support our unified belief that all human life is precious”, said Senator Benson from Prince George’s County. “The human suffering in Gaza is impossible to ignore– we need a ceasefire now!”
HJ 2 was assigned to the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee and will be heard on Monday March 4th at 1 p.m.
To date, over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and over 14,000 children and infants have been killed or are presumed missing. Over 65% of Americans support a ceasefire according to recent polling from Reuters.
In a statement, CAIR’s Maryland director Zainab Chaudry, who will be testifying in support of the resolution at Monday afternoon’s hearing, said:
“A permanent ceasefire is crucial to saving innocent lives. It should never be controversial to protect the sanctity of life. Our shared humanity is drawing people of conscience from all backgrounds to join the call to demand an end to the senseless violence and bloodshed.
“This is a local issue impacting thousands of Marylanders, including hundreds of directly impacted constituents from Gaza whose loved ones have been killed by Israeli forces in recent months.
“Howard and Anne Arundel Counties recently joined at least 66 members of congress including Representatives Jamie Raskin, Kweisi Mfume and David Trone, and dozens of U.S. cities and counties in calling for a ceasefire. The assembly rightfully unanimously voted in favor of a resolution supporting Ukraine.
“It’s time to also pass SJ5/HJ2. As we head into the holy month of Ramadan witnessing manmade famine, sadistic war crimes and devastating death and carnage unfolding, passing this resolution will signal to the Biden administration, Congress and our diverse communities that Maryland stands with humanity on the right side of history.”
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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