Chicago’s City Council narrowly approved a resolution Wednesday calling for a permanent cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, with Mayor Brandon Johnson casting the tiebreaking vote.

Chicago is latest U.S. city to approve such a non-binding resolution, following Atlanta, Detroit and San Francisco in recent months.

  • merc@sh.itjust.works
    37·
    2 years ago

    Why are city governments doing this?

    Cities have very little role in international diplomacy. If a city wants to support something like Black Lives Matter, at least that’s something related to what they do. They employ police who might not treat black people fairly, for example. But, it seems wrong to get involved in international diplomacy.

    For a different reason, schools also shouldn’t have a stance. Schools are supposed to be a “marketplace of ideas”. If a student council wants to take a stand, sure. If a Palestinian rights org on campus wants to hold a rally, that’s great. The school itself should stay out of it and simply provide a physically safe place for other people to express their ideas.

    • lone_faerie@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      8·
      2 years ago

      Why shouldn’t they? The city government represents the citizens of that city, who are calling for a ceasefire. They’re saying “we hear you and agree there should be a ceasefire”