East Orange Unanimous Consent Cease Fire Resolution, Calls for Hostage Release by Both Sides

On April 5, Essex County mayors were met outside an annual breakfast celebration by protesters calling out the fact that as of that date, not a single Essex County municipality had passed a resolution calling for a cease fire, 6 months into what has turned into a US – Israel genocide operation. The lack of progress over this basic humanitarian concern for the children, mothers and fathers of Gaza is particularly daunting since several Essex County towns have Black and Latino leadership – representing communities that are usually more supportive of the Palestinian people.

Three days later on April 8, 2024 East Orange, NJ passed a cease fire resolution regarding the situation in Gaza, becoming the first and thus far only town in Essex County, NJ to thus far have passed a resolution. It was passed through the process of “unanimous consent” which means no debate was needed and all agreed without a vote with the passage of the resolution, Notably the resolution called for the release of all the hostages on both sides. That is a rare mention as most cease fire resolutions passed have only acknowledged the Israeli hostages.

The responsiveness to the protesters just 3 days earlier and the quickly passing a resolution with no public hoopla, and also including the language representing that there are also Palestinians that are being unjustly held (and the fact is that has been true for decades – ed.) is commendable.  Also this development is another win for our ever growing and ever more effective effort to oppose US support for the genocide – congratulations to all of the organizations and individuals that engaged this effort – this victory is for all of us!

LIsa Davis who attended the protest at the Mayors breakfast offered this commentary:
“But I must ask East Orange, — WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? I am glad that you did pass it, but we as Black People have a glorious legacy of being among the first people to stand up and boldly challenge this ruthless system head on! WE SHOULD NEVER ALLOW ANY OF THAT HISTORY TO BE SACRIFICED!
. . .
But equally as important to this story is that THE RESOLUTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY WITHOUT ANY OBJECTIONS AND WITHOUT ANY OF THE OVERT RACISM AND DISDAIN TOWARD THE PALESTINIAN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN SHOWN IN THE SUBURBS SURROUNDING EAST ORANGE! “

See embedment of additional comments by Lisa Davis on this development.