This evening, the Maryland office of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) plans to join community partners at the George Howard Executive Building in Ellicott City, Maryland, for a #ceasefirenow rally for Gaza, immediately followed by a Howard County Council hearing in which CR22-2024 Ceasefire Resolution is expected to be presented for a vote.
Last week, CAIR called on the County Council to restore public comment after it was announced that the county council voted to block public testimonies on the resolution, and, in an unusual turn of events, is fast-tracking a vote on the same evening that the resolution is being introduced.
CAIR, Partners to Call on Maryland County Council to Restore Public Testimony on Gaza Ceasefire Resolution
WHAT: Howard County Ceasefire Now Rally & Resolution Hearing
WHEN: Monday, February 5, 5:15 p.m.
WHERE: George Howard Executive Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043
CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com, IMAN Cofounder Samya Mohammad, samya@imanaction.org; Justice For All DC Director Hena Zuberi, hena@justiceforall.org
Legislative Session Video Streamed at 7 p.m.: https://cc.howardcountymd.gov/watch-us
Broadcast on channels 44 (Verizon) and 99 (Comcast)
SEE: CR22-2024 (Howard County Council)
“Millions of Marylanders’ tax dollars are going to support what both the United Nation’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) and a U.S. federal court have called plausible genocide against innocent civilians in Gaza, including my own family,” said Howard County resident and activist Laila Al-Haddad. “Ninety of my family members have been killed so far with taxpayer money. Senator Van Hollen has called for a ceasefire and it’s time for Howard County to follow suit.”
In a statement, CAIR’s Maryland director Zainab Chaudry said:
“Tonight’s vote on CR22-2024 Ceasefire Resolution has a significant impact on thousands of local constituents. Each day a ceasefire is delayed, hundreds more innocent Muslim and Christian Palestinians are killed. A permanent ceasefire is the only way to end the senseless massacre of innocent people, including thousands of children, and to safely return Israeli and Palestinian hostages. Their constituents need them to now speak up against the unfathomable horrors and injustices in Palestine.
“This vote tonight will be recorded in history as where they stood in this moment. It will signal to our communities – many who have hundreds of loved ones killed in Gaza, and all who have been suffering through 121 days of pain and trauma and heartache – whether they value and recognize their humanity. It should never be controversial or divisive to support protecting innocent lives.”
The movement for an end to the bloodshed has been building momentum. Nearly 70 percent of Americans want a ceasefire. President Biden has lost tremendous support because of his refusal to listen to the American people. Recently, Chicago became the most recent city to pass a ceasefire resolution.
CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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