In a tumultuous session on Tuesday night, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg ordered the clearing of the City Council chambers following outbursts during a debate over a proposed Gaza cease-fire resolution. The Sacramento Police Department reported that twelve individuals were arrested for remaining in the chambers after the public was asked to leave, facing charges of unlawful assembly and failure to disperse. Despite the disturbances, the City Council reconvened shortly before 11:30 p.m. and passed the resolution, as reported by The Sacramento Bee.
The resolution, aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza, sought a balanced approach by acknowledging the sovereignty of both Israel and a prospective independent Palestinian state. Mayor Steinberg called for the condemnation of recent attacks, the release of all hostages, and highlighted the need to combat the rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia across the nation. The proposal sparked intense debate among attendees, with supporters and opponents of the resolution voicing their perspectives passionately.
The decision to tackle such a complex international issue has drawn criticism from some local leaders, including Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, who argued that the council should focus on matters within its control rather than international conflicts. Mayor Steinberg, however, emphasized that the resolution was an attempt to bridge divides within Sacramento’s interfaith community, despite opposition from groups like the Jewish Federation of Sacramento. The event underscores the city’s engagement with global issues and the strong sentiments they evoke within the community.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
