Unprecedented Support for the Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Resolution at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
San Francisco demands a ceasefire in Gaza.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, December 5th was one for the record books. It’s estimated that somewhere between 2,000–2,500 people came to City Hall as a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza was introduced.
At one point, the line for the public to comment ran outside the building and down the street. According to people working in City Hall for years, this turnout was unprecedented for any item the Board of Supervisors has taken up.
Public comment began at about ~3:50PM PT and lasted for 7 hours until the last speaker approached the lectern at about ~10:51PM. There was only one single comment in this time period that was against a ceasefire; the public commenters who endured the grueling line were there in support of a ceasefire.
The comment was moving, with many people sharing their personal stories of their connections to the bombardment of Gaza:
- Some were from Gaza or had family there or in the West Bank.
- An 80 year old man who survived the Nakba was given extra time to speak.
- Children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors said it was in their blood to prevent what was happening and pledged “never again” for all people.
And this was a diverse coalition with people young and old; across racial, ethnic, and religious communities; and from every single district in San Francisco. This was a demonstration of real solidarity and allyship.
I’ve often felt very alone in the last two months, especially in San Francisco. I exist and operate in the political spaces here and it has felt that people in those spaces were either silent on what was going on or only sympathized with one side’s humanity, loss and future outcomes.
But I no longer feel alone in San Francisco after last night — the city has made it clear on what it champions and what it demands and that is a ceasefire and justice & humanity for all people. I am so proud of my city and feel so fortunate to have made this beautiful and loving place my home.
Some have discouraged the action of local governments on the bombardment of Gaza. It has become a common pro-war talking point: city councils like the San Francisco Board of Supervisors should focus on local issues instead of “what’s happening on the other side of the world.”
However, this refrain is straight up bullshit as the siege is fueling discrimination, aggression, and hate crimes right here in the U.S., and we’ve already seen a number of them right here in San Francisco.
Our local elected officials in San Francisco do not get to pass on this issue. They must do the uncomfortable thing and confront it directly to not only keep us safe here in San Francisco, but also to do the right thing for humanity.
My public comment from the December 5th Board of Supervisors meeting in support of the ceasefire resolution follows below:
“Hello Supervisors — my name is Nadia Rahman and I am a District 1 resident. I’m here today to ask you all to vote yes on the ceasefire resolution.
What’s happening on the other side of the world does have an impact here in San Francisco. Both Islamophobia and antisemitism are spiking here in our city.
A few incidents since Oct. 7th include:
- The assault of a Muslim SF Unified student in District 3
- The smashed windows on an ice cream shop owned by a Jewish person in District 9
- And a mural about Gaza that has been defaced multiple times in District 8
And these are only a few of a long list of examples.
Although it’s easy to tell ourselves that this doesn’t impact us here in San Francisco — the reality is that it does. And it will only make us less safe the longer it goes on.
Please do not wait to support a ceasefire until the worst comes to worse and someone’s life is taken right here in San Francisco.
Thank you.”
###
After this meeting, the ceasefire resolution was sent to committee on January 8, 2024, and it was ultimately passed in an 8–3 vote on January 9, 2024.
###
Thank you to Supervisor Dean Preston for introducing the resolution and Supervisor Hillary Ronen for sponsoring it. Both Dean and Hillary are from Jewish families and are descended from Holocaust survivors.
