Table of Contents

NO ACTION TAKEN

CITIES FOR A CEASEFIRE

OAO in coordination with several partner organizations in support have worked for months to get a ceasefire resolution on the ongoing genocide in Gaza heard at OKC City Council. Sponsored by Councilor JoBeth Hamon, this resolution focused on how “the City of Oklahoma City is dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity, values all life, and upholds the principles of equality and all human rights” and with this spirit to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.

OKC CITY COUNCIL HEARING

Today’s meeting showed that those who represent us at the municipal level do not see humanity in the same terms that we do. After the resolution was presented, Councilor Nikki Nice shared lengthy remarks about Oklahoma City’s “Sister Cities” and ongoing conflicts there. Prior to this meeting, there had been little discussion at council about these cities. Worldwide, many have cited ongoing violence in Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other groups enduring catastrophic destruction of human life. While often, these references are in goodwill, on the other hand they are also used to defer taking a stance in support of Palestine. Freedom from oppression, especially under a genocidal regime, is not a mutually exclusive motion. Demanding a ceasefire in Gaza is a simple stand for humanity for people around the world that are enduring suffering at the hands of the United States through its blood money and military aid. However, our city council could not even manage that.

MOTION TO TABLE INDEFINITELY

After Councilor Nice’s remarks, Councilor Mark Stonechiper cited Robert’s Rules, which are the guiding rules for most governing bodies, and proposed to table the motion indefinitely. This would dispose of the resolution for the meeting, and permit members to “decline to take a position” as said in his own words.

Following this motion, Councilor Nice requested that people who had signed up to speak about the issue still be permitted to. However, there was confusion whether it was out of order, or if debate under this specific rule is limited to council members. After receiving clarification, Mayor Holt deemed to let residents who were present to speak about the resolution.

CITIZENS SPEAK

After the first resident spoke in support of passing the resolution, there was loud applause heard in the chambers. Holt appeared frustrated, and marked that further applause would take away from people’s time to speak. Supporters in the chamber number near 50 people, with individuals wearing keffiyehs and holding Palestinian flags.

Many of the residents who presented cited the recent Lancet publication on the stark death toll in Gaza, which is plausible to reach over 186,000 persons killed. Several others leaned into speaking on the slaughter of children, videos of beheaded babies, and parents collecting body parts of family. Support was diverse and unified, from members of the Jewish community, Christians, Muslims, students, parents, teachers, and more.

All who spoke bravely stood their ground and presented their comments with professionalism. However, they did not receive the same in return, as many requests were made specifically of Mayor Holt and other councilors to put down their phones and listen. Some who spoke had never gone up before, but felt that they could no longer stand by and do nothing, and they pleaded that their city council do the same. They emphasized a focus on compassion, and that all people should stand in support of ending the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

COUNCILORS REMARKS

At the conclusion of comments, the city council took time to make their own remarks. While lengthy, Councilor James Cooper did say that he would support a ceasefire, citing that he has a diverse community in his ward that also hosts several mosques and a Jewish temple.

Councilor Stonecipher regurgitated often heard rhetoric from him at council meetings and said its his aim to focus on city issues and not to talk on international issues. This dismisses the many residents who cited being Palestinian-American and the millions of our tax dollars that fund genocide abroad.

Councilor Bradley Carter accused residents of being hypocritical and showed frustration that there was no mention of October 7th, the hostages, and the “end of Hamas’ rule in Gaza”. Councilor Nice concluded comments and reaffirmed a focus on condemning antisemitism and islamophobia in our communities.

RESULTS AND REACTIONS

Ultimately, the vote to table the resolution indefinitely was successful. As an organization, we were not surprised by the result. While our state government has continually passed racist and transphobic legislation, it is evident that this rhetoric trickles down to the municipal level. All politics are local, no matter the level of government or the topic at hand. If we won’t take a stand for violence and genocide of indigenous people abroad, then we will continue to see a failure to stand for our indigenous communities here.

Citizens brought forth this resolution, demanding to see a stand for justice and a stand for humanity. However, residents who spoke were disrespected and ignored. One speaker referenced our desired status as a “global city”, but the only global accolade we thus far have deserved is being complicit in genocide.

Find out more about the resolution through our petition here, and join efforts to push city council to reconsider their stance on genocide.