CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A group of Charlotteans is once again calling on the Charlotte City Council to pass a resolution that supports a ceasefire in Gaza.
"We have been dismissed during these past couple of months," Laila El-Ali with Charlotte United for Palestine said.
On Monday, El-Ali and dozens of others wrote out messages like "Free Palestine" with chalk on the sidewalk outside the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. They then filled the meeting chamber to have their voices heard at the Charlotte City Council meeting.
"We’re coming out here today as a community of many faiths, of many backgrounds to stand in solidarity with people who are being brutally killed, brutally massacred," El-Ali told WCNC Charlotte.
For the past several months, her organization and many others have been pushing for the Charlotte City Council to pass a resolution supporting a ceasefire in Gaza.
"You pride yourselves on social justice and equal rights for all," Dima Ershaid said to councilmembers. "How can you be silent during this genocide?"
Emotions have run high over the topic at city council meetings in the last few months. In December, Mayor Vi Lyles kicked everyone out of the meeting after repeated outbursts. In January, police escorted someone out.
Ahead of public comment Monday, Lyles pleaded for respect:
"We need to respect each of us as we do this work and provide everyone the opportunity to hear and have the city’s business," Lyles said.
She did not comment on the requested resolution.
Several Jewish people supporting a ceasefire were at the meeting. However, the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte wrote to WCNC Charlotte the following statement:
“While we understand the impact the Israel-Hamas war has on communities of all faiths and backgrounds and recognize the importance of free speech, efforts to demonize the other side are unacceptable. Such rhetoric only legitimizes anti-Israel hatred, and puts the Jewish community at risk.”
Last week, the Durham City Council adopted a Gaza ceasefire resolution.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.