The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed news of Montgomery County joining Howard and Anne Arundel Counties to become the third Maryland county to support a ceasefire in Gaza. The civil rights group is urging state lawmakers to pass the statewide SJ0005/HJ0002 Ceasefire Resolution in the Maryland General Assembly.
SEE: CAIR Applauds Second Maryland County to Support a Gaza Ceasefire
CAIR Applauds First Maryland County to Support a Ceasefire Despite County Resolution Vote Absent Public Comment
Video: CAIR Joins Md. State Lawmakers, Multi-Faith Leaders Urging Support for Gaza Ceasefire Resolution
Over 37,000 letters have been sent by Marylanders to state lawmakers through an action alert sponsored by CAIR and IMAN Network urging the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee to pass HJ0002 Ceasefire Resolution out of committee and onto the House floor for a vote.
SEE: Action Alert: Help PASS Ceasefire Resolution in Maryland General Assembly
House Joint Resolution HJ0002
In a letter sent to CAIR this afternoon, County Executive Marc Elrich wrote in part:
“As we grapple with hostages still held 5 months later, the loss of 30,000 lives in Gaza, and the ongoing starvation and lack of medical support of innocent civilians, I have written to President Biden urging him to do everything in his power to bring the hostages home and implement a lasting ceasefire that creates a framework for a just two-state solution.
I appreciate the other Maryland elected officials who have also called for a ceasefire, including US Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Jamie Raskin, and Congressman David Trone. You will see in the letter to the President that I quote Senator Van Hollen and Congressman Raskin who understand the complexity and the urgency of the situation. While as a local official I do not have direct involvement in foreign policy, I did want to join and support them in this call.”
“Each day, we learn more devastating news of the violence and dire humanitarian crisis affecting over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “County Executive Elrich’s call for a ceasefire is the moral, humane position to take. Every voice joining the chorus for an end to the senseless bloodshed and man-made famine in Gaza matters. Our shared humanity demands that we preserve the sanctity of all life.”
Montgomery County is the largest, most populous state in Maryland. It 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.
On Monday, state lawmakers heard compelling testimonies from dozens of witnesses urging passage of the House Joint Resolution in the General Assembly.
SEE: CAIR Joins Broad-Based Coalition Testifying in Support of Maryland Gaza Ceasefire Resolution, Urges House Rules Committee to Vote in Favor
CAIR Joins Md. State Lawmakers, Multi-Faith Leaders Urging Support for Gaza Ceasefire Resolution
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
Both the International Court of Justice, the United Nations’ highest court, and a U.S. federal court have declared plausible genocide against civilians in Gaza by Israel.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes UN Court Ruling on Gaza Genocide Charge Against Israel
Advocacy in recent weeks has gained widespread attention across Maryland following the introduction of a statewide ceasefire resolution introduced by Delegate Gabriel Acevero and cosponsored by eight state lawmakers in the Maryland General Assembly in mid-January.
The past 150+ days of bombing and attacks have led to at least 35,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza – both Muslims and Christians – led to the forced displacement of nearly 2 million people from their homes in Gaza.
In January, CAIR welcomed U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s (D-Md.) call for a ceasefire.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Senator Van Hollen’s Call for Gaza Ceasefire, Urges State Lawmakers to Cosponsor Resolution in Md. General Assembly
Since Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza began on Oct. 7, it has destroyed entire residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure. Human rights organizations and advocates worldwide have stated that Israel is depriving Gazans of food, water, electricity, and medicine while also indiscriminately dropping bombs on homes, hospitals, bakeries, schools, mosques, churches, and even refugee camps in Gaza, which amount to war crimes.
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, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com