To Subject Dear Mayor and Council Members, I am [state affiliation to the city of Berkeley] and I am writing to urge you to pass a formal resolution that calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We want you to pass either the People's Resolution or Councilmember Ben Bartlett's resolution with NO amendments. Several council members have revealed their allegiance to special interest groups, and have not shown good faith. Many of you have neglected to meet with the Berkeley community's diverse voices who have been demanding a ceasefire. Instead, you are advocating against a ceasefire resolution and running away from us during city council meetings. You need to listen to us, not ignore us. Berkeley has historically been on the forefront of anti-war, civil rights and human rights movements. Berkeley bravely led the charge to divest from apartheid South Africa. Refusing to call for a ceasefire or trying to pass a resolution that is aligned with a genocidal government is a stain on Berkeley's progressive history. Israel’s bombardment of Gaza since October 7, 2023 has shocked the entire world, even though this is the 5th military assault on Gaza since 2008. The people in Gaza who are still alive have now 16 years under siege and survived 5 wars, and this one is the most extreme. Israeli’s military has now killed over 18,000 Palestinians and over 8,000 of them are children. Israel has broken many international laws, including preventing the entry of food, water, fuel, and humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel has also forced over 1.7 million people from their homes in an act of ethnic cleansing, as defined by the United Nations. The dehumanization of Palestinians and extreme escalation in violence is no doubt the final stage of genocide. The United Nations and human rights organizations and leaders around the world have called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, citing numerous violations of international law. But our own national leaders have not, and are instead offering MORE unconditional military aid to Israel as it completely destroys Gaza. We, your constituents, demand our local elected officials to exercise their power to influence our state representatives and senators to call for a permanent ceasefire. Our heads of state are ignoring our demands, so we need your help to amplify our voices. We cannot stay silent while our taxes fund the extermination of the Palestinians. This issue WILL determine elections next November, as the people will refuse to vote for anyone who stays silent when our government commits genocide. We, the people of Berkeley, have sent you hundreds of emails with text of a resolution drafted by your constituents. The following cities have also passed Resolutions for Ceasefire and Solidarity with Palestine as of November 29, 2023: Oakland, CA; Richmond, CA; Providence, RI; Cudahy, CA; Seattle, WA; and Easton, PA. We demand that the City of Berkeley follows suit. Sincerely, [Your name] [zip code if comfortable] Compose Mail