On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council directed staff to work on three separate resolutions to bring back at a future meeting regarding conflict in the middle east, life and calling for a ceasefire.
Adopting a resolution or solidarity with the Palestinian and Muslim communities regarding with what was going on in Gaza. They also called for supporting a ceasefire. It also follows a town hall which members of the public also showed up urging the city to take a stance on what is occurring in Gaza.
Proclamation on behalf of humanity and life (Bryant)
“I would like for us to issue a proclamation in support of all humanity, in peace, everything that we had talked about, anti-islamophobia” stated Mayor Joel Bryant. We have a community that is made up of many different cultures, backgrounds and ethnicity and as a city council I believe we do need to make sure that every single resident feels appreciated, loved, and safe here and supported. If we can word it as such, I would really appreciate that because I want to make sure every single family member and individual in our community understands that they are equally valuable as is anyone else. Every single person has immense value simply because they are a living person. If we could have that, I would really appreciate it.”
Proclamation on Anti-Islamophobia while encouraging peace (Pierson)
“I was going to make request for anti-islamophobia but also a resolution to encourage peace in the Middle East and here in the United States so I would like to add that to it,” stated Councilmember Pa’tanisha Pierson.
Proclamation Calling for a Ceasefire (Mendoza)
“I didn’t come in here thinking I was going to ask for what I am going to ask for because I’m Brentwood. I can’t do anything I am just Brentwood, but one of the young ladies came up and said if every single city asked for something, the federal government would listen,” stated Councilmember Jovita Mendoza who highlighted her daughters friend who goes to Heritage and is Palestinian received a horrible text from someone. “I can’t make a ceasefire happen, I can’t make people stop kidnapping women in Mexico, but I can say it. I can say I support a ceasefire. So I would like to make an agenda item that we as a city, do all of these things, that we want a war to stop and we want a ceasefire… after hearing our residents ask us to do it, I have to listen to them.”
Brentwood City staff asked for clarifications and if they could combine the proclamations or wanted separate proclamations. Council gave direction to bring back three separate resolutions.
City Manager Tim Ogden will bring back the item to allow the council to come up with messaging to allow staff to then work on language for the resolutions—at that time, council will determine if they want to combine them or keep them separate. It is anticipated the resolutions will return in January for final approval.
To watch the meeting, click here
Related Story:
Oct 25 – Richmond City Council Passes Resolution to Support Palestinians in Gaza
51 comments
Although nobody wants a war or innocent civilians to be harmed, I figured maybe the City of Brentwood would be focused on fixing the councilwoman’s behavior towards city staff instead of grandstanding on an issue in the Middle East
Its a big mistake to go down this road that is totally beyond the charter and competence of ANY city council. Has this council learning nothing from the foolish actions of others? Leave foreign affairs alone and stick to city issues.
I suggest that Councilmember Jovita Mendoza should focus on local Brentwood issues, and not opine on how to best resolve international conflicts.
I note that there were no proposed resolutions mentioning freedom for the innocent hostages (which might be especially relevant if there are any local area residents being held), or the topic of billions of dollars flowing to Iran that could be better used domestically to improve communities like Brentwood.
Hey Norm! How about thinking about the fact that there are brentwood residents whose families are in Gaza, who already have passed, and others unheard from! How about thinking about the fact that youre literally making a theoretical situation up about a hostage being from brentwood! Enough with the diversion from truth with literal lies, as there are no hostages from brentwood LOL!
By the way, a ceasefire does include freeing the hostages.
A cease fire also means ALL Hamas MUST STOP FIRING ROCKETS, and rockets from Yemen and Lebanon also must stop.
Is this also in your plan?
If you are educated in the slightest (or own a dictionary), yes lol. That is the definition of a ceasefire.
Is it in your plan to stop dropping bombs on children and eradicating thousands of women and children? If we can agree, then your original comment was USELESS. Another strawman arguement.
Try not to get your panties in a bunch, offended. If looks like youre more pro-ceasfire than you originally thought!!!
And remember to use your dictionary before commenting and looking quite illiterate, how embarrassing!
In response to this message I wrote to you, Mr. Offended, i apologize for the wording and improper speech towards you. Do forgive me. However, my message remains clear: a ceasefire is a pact true to its word, meaning a FULL ceasefire. I hope this puts your original apprehension towards a ceasefire to rest.
Council member Jovita Mendez suggestive resolution is great. As we Americans are against what’s going on with the mass killings in Palestine/Gaza while our government is allowing this and being complicit. If every county and little city like she said this will have an impact to ending this unjust aggression. Plus I’m shamed that my tax money is killing innocent civilians.
Anyone who argues that council members should focus on their own districts is using a silencing tactic. This affect all of us. Israel and the US Government are complicit in war crimes. This will get back to us eventually whether we do the right thing or not. The international community has identified what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank as a genocide. Despite American propaganda, Israel does not legally have a right to defend itself. Please stand up for the protection of Palestinians and Israeli’s who are being subjected to a fascist government that had spent 7 years dismantling Israel’s democratic institutions. Call for a ceasefire now!
“Silencing tactic”? Nonsense. Council members are free to express their opinions as individuals – as are we all. What I find objectionable is the city council, as an entity, presuming to speak for the people of Brentwood on political issues that are not within the charter of their elected office.
…and not necessarily representing YOUR opinion. Like I’ve said before, the council’s intended actions are NONSENSE.
gratitude for the courage to use your power & voice to support a ceasefire. thank you city of brentwood.
If anime actually watches the live stream there were many from the Muslim community that asked for the release of hostages but if you’re going to carpet bomb a whole nation what’s the guarantee of them surviving? It doesn’t take that much to thing critically no wonder literacy rate in The US is 79% those tax dollars need to be spent here instead of overseas if our own people can’t think critically and do non bias research that’s more concerning than condemning someone for their stance in not bombing innocent civilians. The resolution is to the bombing so aid can reach them nice t victims that includes hostages. Not to mention that despite being peaceful the Muslim community was still compared to terrorist for asking for ceasefire or some sort of solidarity.
What a surprising and brave stand. I watched the meeting and saw Christians, Muslims, and the only Jewish person to speak all urge the council to call out the atrocities that our tax dollars are fiunding.
In milgram’s experiment on obedience and compliance, one brave soul standing up and speaking up (saying what we all know needs to be said) was enough to break the silence. One gentleman said that the rate of slaughter of defenseless children in Gaza is even higher, by 50 a day, than that of Jewish children during WWII. I hope they would have spoken up then and I’m sure glad they’re speaking up now!
Thank you for bravely representing your constituents!
Commendable efforts by the city of Brentwood in firmly opposing the heartbreaking loss of innocent lives due to Israel’s actions. This includes Israel’s relentless bombing of hospitals, homes, and evacuation routes, as well as the additional collective punishment inflicted upon the people of Gaza through Israels deliberate deprivation of water, electricity, and gasoline. The city stands as a beacon, advocating for justice and humanity in the face of these circumstances.
Thank you, Brentwood city council and mayor for working towards peace in Gaza! This is definitely progress and I’m proud to be a Brentwood resident. To justice and peace, everywhere!
I’m glad the Brentwood city council is seeing the importance of coming together and helping out to put an end to this senseless violence in Palestine. Any civilian deaths are devastating and it’s in our best interest to not let history repeats itself. We all think about how the world could’ve possibly allowed the Holocaust or slavery to happen and go on for so long, but all those that are opposed to the city doing something to help in Palestine are the same people that would’ve turned a blind eye to our Jewish and Black brothers and sisters being unjustly prosecuted and discriminated against. To stand with Palestine is to stand with humanity!
What we are seeing here is a step in the right direction. The fact of the matter is, those who suggest for the city council to stick to “city matters” choose to forget the fact that council members act in the interest of their constituents. Palestinians ARE their constituents. Muslims ARE there constituents. This IS a city matter. Palestinians that live in brentwood, brentwood citizens, they have family and friends over seas, unable to reach them for aid. This is the first step in a long process of reaching higher government officials. This is pertinent to brentwood, and whoever thinks otherwise is either unaware or purposefully ignorant.
I’m so happy to see the Brentwood community speak up for such atrocities going on in Palestine, Sudan, Congo and any where there is oppression. It truly breaks my heart to see innocent people being killed. I call for a ceasefire immediately. I stand with anyone who is for justice and humanity. Peace and love to all.
Did you forget that an equally egregious incident left 1,000+ Jews killed, tortured, mutilated, and raped, and that this happened before everything else?
I believe that Brentwood working on a ceasefire along with working on a resolution is such a huge step up to from where we started. As we are the voice of the voiceless, this means a lot to Brentwoods Muslim/ Palestinian Christian residents to know that we are in a community that will keep us safe and stand with not just a side but with HUMANITY. To raise our voice against oppression & injustice is our duty. We’re here to make a change & this is just the beginning. Remaining neutral, silent, or not acting upon doing anything was never the answer in this matter. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.
Growing up in Brentwood as a Muslim, I take pride in being a resident of this city. Mayor Bryant and the city council members deserve applause for standing on the right side of history. Their actions are truly moving, and I hope this sets an example for the world that communities of diverse faiths, cultures, and backgrounds can unite peacefully. Thank you, Brentwood!
It is utter nonsense that Brentwood or any other city/township make any proclamation that takes political sides, especially in situations such as this where the profound knowledge of this historic confrontation are not well known and understand by the complaining city/town. On top of that, as a person of Jewish heritage, I am deeply offended by the purported position Brentwood wants to take, and at the same time very fearful to be about in public if and when this proclamation is made.
I agree, it is utter nonsense. Citizens should address issues of national (or international) concern by contacting their congressional Representative or Senator, or ultimately, voting out the current national administration if they do not agree with their policies. We are not funding the City Council of Brentwood to address national issues, nor should we expect that they have the expertise and deep knowledge to do so competently. Duh.
I disagree with you both. I advise you to dig deep down and find a tiny bit of love and humanity to support this resolution. Thank you.
Yeah, sure, dig deep 1,000’s of years! NOT!
Brentwood needs to worry about Brentwood.
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Interesting that this topic has so many comments by different people, where is the rage from the same people when people are getting killed every day in your neighboring cities?
Straw man argument. Death is death, no matter where it happens. No one said that we werent offeneded by people dying in our own city lol. Where is your rage for the room full of NICU babies dead is Gaza? Why compare deaths and try to “out death” people, why not match our rage if you really cared about death.
How interesting that after the first three comments here (which were not in favor of such a resolution), the next EIGHT comments are pro-resolution (and notice the posting times on them – all in rapid succession). Someone or group is obviously trying to “load the balance” here.
MODERATE — Good catch re the suspicious timing of those messages!
You can see it that way. Regardless, the voices have to be heard. This is a free country, after all 🙂
Can we get the Delta Theater up and running before we take on the world.
Choosing to back these resolutions does not mean the city council will forget everything else. Let’s try to think in complex and nuanced ways, not black in white. Just my 2 cents.
You are dead wrong!
Just my $.02.
A search through these words does not result in finding Hamas. Why is that?
This is terribly divisive. Generally speaking it is terrible policy for city governments to take on global issues. This is a much more complicated issue than it appears. Sure no one wants to see people getting killed so a ceasefire sounds good, right? And then you realize Israel didn’t start this war and is only defending itself from a regime that intentionally places civilians in harms way. Now that is a messy situation. Brentwood city council should stick with what they know.
Well stated.
Well said, especially because it recants the real truth.
Thank you to everyone who raised the attention for ceasfire to our city council. I have had so many sleepless nights feeling guilty about my tax money being sent to Israel whose has been breaching international law according to the UN. Hopefully Brentwood will stand on the right side of history , it’s very easy nowadays to see the bigger picture with all the posts on social media . Stand up for humanity, stand up for the oppressed , and stand up for Gaza ….ceasfire .
At the council meeting people were claiming to be neutral, and I think to myself Being “ neutral” just allows the genocide to continue. This isn’t a matter of war or defense. Palestinians are experiencing a Genocide. If this was a war then there would be two sides fighting one another. But
Palestine has no resistance. For us to get somewhere with the society with this matter, we must start with our OWN communities. I believe Brentwood should stand for ceasefire. Free Palestine until its backwards.
Hospital and school are not a battle ground for war. Even war have it’s rules. Please make the right decision call for ceasefire.
As an American citizen, i highly believe the situation in Gaza is a humanity issue; thus, we should call for a ceasefire! It’s a shame for those who want to silence this genocide! At this point, civil or international, is not a consideration. Let’s not play semantics and be human! The children in Gaza have been crying out and every 5 minutes a child is killed! We need to be their voice! I am not willing to continue funding this genocide with my tax dollars; I did not agree to this! We need to be their voice! Saying No Ceasefire is supporting this genocide!
I am grateful to Councilmember Jovita Mendoza for bringing up the call to ceasefire and to the other Councilmembers for agreeing to it. Cities all over the US have brought up this issue and I feel it is something that needs to be discussed especially when over 400 billion dollars worth of tax payer money has gone to genocide since 1951 instead of being given to US citizens for free tuition for all and free Healthcare for all. Thank you.
I am a resident of Brentwood and I am very happy to see that the City of Brentwood has drafted these three resolutions to voice the concerns of many of its resident. I’m glad to see politics at work on a city level. Foreign affairs are our affairs. Our hard-earned tax dollars are used on a state as well as federal level. Our voices have to be heard. If enough of us speak up against unhumane actions of a big bully country, let alone cold-blooded murder of women and children, then it will have a ripple effect and the federal government won’t have a choice but to listen. I know, it’s not very easy to see the truth and it’s even harder to accept it. But, choose humanity over religion and politics. Choose to see the thousands of murdered children and women. Choose to see the gross encampment of a populace. Choose mercy over hate. Choose love and understanding over shunning and attacking. We live in this world together. If the largest country in the world will not stand up to transgression, who will? Please choose to support this for the sake of humanity.
Ok, let’s choose humanity over everything else.
Great, so we will start with 1,000+ Jews who were attacked, raped, killed, mutilated, tortured, and, for those who still survived all of that were then taken as hostages. THIS IS THE 1ST THING THAT HAPPENED — WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT THIS?
Thank you to Brentwood city council for paying attention to Gaza situation. We are so proud of them and it is a relief to know that there are people who still care about humanity.
Does Gaza have an extra missle that they can send to delete Antioch? Asking for a friend.
When you protest and block the Bay Bridge from hard working people trying to get home from work to be with there families, it backfires. Both sides lose any sympathy that they were hoping to achieve and it divides people even more.
Unfortunately, an Israeli ceasefire will lead to Hamas’ idea of peace, which involves all of Israel going into a giant oven. Brentwood City Council on the extreme right side of history it seems.
I have a question for the Brentwood City Council: why aren’t you as worked up over what Putin has been doing in Ukraine for EIGHTEEN months? Didn’t see any resolutions from you condemning the Russian invasion. Your “righteous indignation” seems to be very selective.
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