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
    0·
    5 months 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.

        • queermunist she/her@lemmy.ml
          02·
          5 months ago

          Cities grant building and zoning permits, sign contracts with private companies, and make property sales. They have a lot of influence on what kinds of businesses are allowed in.

          Or, again, it can be regulated by the city council.

          And schools shouldn’t invest, but they do, so therefore they have to be struggled against

          • merc@sh.itjust.works
            0·
            5 months ago

            Cities grant building and zoning permits

            And if the city’s serious about an issue, they should use those tools. Not make a bland statement about calling for a cease-fire. Actually punish companies selling weapons. But, that’s an actual step, calling for a cease-fire is more a “thoughts and prayers” approach that just wastes everyone’s time.

            As for universities, same thing. If they’re going to invest in things, then instead of making statements about Gaza or whatever, they should actively sell off investments. But, really, a university should be a stage people use to share their ideas. The stage shouldn’t be only open to the currently fashionable points of view.