Civil Rights Group Urges Maryland General Assembly to Take Immediate Action to Pass HJ0002 Ceasefire Resolution as ‘Bare Minimum’ While Gaza Endures Catastrophic Humanitarian Crisis, Relentless Attacks and Forced Starvation
(BALTIMORE, MD, 3/17/2024) – The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed Governor Wes Moore’s support for the Palestinian people alongside Israelis and his unequivocal call for an immediate Gaza ceasefire on the ‘Kojo Nnamdi Show.’
“During this holy month of Ramadan, as Muslims in Gaza pray amidst the rubble of their mosques and risk their lives to struggle to find food for their children to break their fasts due to Israel’s forced starvation supported by our tax dollars, no single issue weighs heavier on the minds of Maryland Muslim communities than an immediate, permanent ceasefire and the unrestricted flow of desperately needed aid to Gaza,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “This legislative session, Maryland state lawmakers have the opportunity to heed Governor Moore’s call and align themselves with the values of decency and compassion by passing the House Joint Resolution for ceasefire without delay.”
CAIR is urging House Rules Committee Chair Anne Healey to take swift action to bring HJ0002 House Joint Ceasefire Resolution for a committee vote Monday following multiple reports that despite massive support for the legislation, she has refused to bring it forward for consideration.
SEE: Commentary: Will the General Assembly stand for humanity and decency?
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