Ceasefire resolution fails in Rockford City Council without support

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – At the start of Monday’s city council meetings, Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd ushered pro-Palestinian supporters out of the packed hall. City law required attendees not in their seats to watch from the lobby or outside.

One item on the agenda dominated the extraordinary Council meeting like no other: “Approval of a proposed ceasefire resolution,” that is, Rockford’s approval of a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Councilman Bill Rose (D-9) began working on the resolution in December. On Monday evening, the discussion lasted nearly a minute – without a second’s hesitation, the council moved on to the next item.

“Since there is no second motion, the motion is defeated,” said Alderman Kevin Frost (R-4), who presided over the meeting. A moment later, the pro-Palestine supporters responded with “Shame!”

Ald. Rose believed there would be more support from his council colleagues – and expected at least Ald. Jeff Bailey (D-13) to join in. There was a moment of confusion, however, when Bailey appeared to raise his hand after deliberations on the resolution concluded.

The Democrat was ready for a debate: “Why did they say on the one hand that they support it, and now for some reason they don’t want to discuss the issue?” Rose is perplexed.

Before Monday’s meeting, Councilman Mark Bonne (D-14) signaled his opposition. The Democrat claims the council shouldn’t interfere in foreign policy. Rose, on the other hand, said cities like Rockford could start a movement.

“One hundred cities across the United States have already made statements on this,” Rose says. “If one hundred more cities made statements on this, I think this war would be over.”

Pro-Palestinian protesters like Majdi Saqa claim that Rockford is also involved in the conflict. Saqa says that nearly a dozen defense companies operate within the city limits. Since the war began, he says, he has spoken to employees who are plagued by guilt.

“I want to help these people by simply putting an end to it so that what they are doing doesn’t come back to haunt people,” says Saqa.

Monday’s failure brings tears to his eyes as pro-Palestinian protesters chant in the lobby of City Hall, the crowd holding banners that read “Free Palestine” among other things.

People below waited for hours for the possible vote. Up above, more supporters held signs for hours as they went through the planned agenda items, including a presentation on city infrastructure. Aida Rosemore of Rockford for Palestine sat anxiously as a conversation turned to asphalt or gravel driveways.

“But when it comes to the discussion about stopping an actual genocide that is happening, like people dying, how does that compare?” Rosemore says.

Monday’s vote does not end the activism of his supporters. For Saqa, the abrupt rejection by the city council is an impetus to turn to the teachings of Islam.

“If you can’t fight oppression with your hands, do it with your tongue. If you can’t do it with your tongue, do it with your heart,” the student says. “And the moment you stop doing it with your heart, you’ve lost all your faith.”

Rose adds that his work is ongoing and another solution is not out of the question.