Redwood City passes on cease-fire resolution

“We are a city of 85,000 people,” Councilmember Kaia Eakin said. “Our 500 or so employees have a city to run. Their expertise is not in international relations.”

More than 100 people packed into City Hall Monday March 11, with many urging councilmembers to agree to further discussion of a resolution and consider the effect the conflict has on local residents. Others shared their opposition, claiming it would ultimately cause an increase in Islamophobia and antisemitism and increase divisiveness. 

In addition to more than 1,000 emailed comments ahead of time, more than 135 individuals submitted speaker cards to provide public comment during the meeting. The council chambers were filled with residents and the overflow filled the outside lobby. 

Espinoza-Garnica, as part of their statement presenting the motion, said the city has a history of denouncing hate and racism, and questioned the council why they could not extend the same solidarity with Palestinian locals by calling for a cease-fire.

“The increase in hate crimes against Jews, Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians is happening here in the Peninsula as a result of the attack on Gaza,” Espinoza-Garnica said. “That is why our council must take a stance on this issue to show solidarity with our residents who are facing threats at work, at school and in public spaces in Redwood City.”

Many of those opposing the agendizing of the resolution said that they did not want local government resources to be allocated away from the matters of the city. Preparation of a resolution would require approximately 10-20 hours of staff time. 

Espinoza-Garnica said that while the city has faced financial hardship to conduct city business such as building housing, taxpayer money is being spent on the conflict in Gaza. 

“We should all be able to stand together in opposition of our residents’ tax dollars being used to fund a genocide while we experience major budget deficits that threaten our services,” Espinoza-Garnica said. 

Mayor Jeff Gee and councilmembers Eakin, Alicia Aguirre, Diane Howard and Elmer Martínez Saballos voted against moving forward with a cease-fire resolution. 

“Redwood City has stood, and continues to stand united against hate,” Gee said. “There is no place in Redwood City for racism and hate. Please don’t get me wrong, whatever I choose is not anti-Jew or anti-Palestinian, I choose for all of Redwood City together.” 

Still, Sturken said he would like to use the opportunity of the discussion to “brainstorm what ways can we as a council support our community counter antisemitism and Islamophobia in Redwood City,” he said.

Tension was high in the room but discourse remained civil throughout the public comment portion of the evening. However, some in the crowd interrupted councilmembers — saying “Silence is Complicity” and “Free Palestine” — as they gave their opinion on the agenda item. 

When the ultimate failure of the motion was announced, many in the crowd, and those in the lobby, began shouting “cease-fire now.”

Gee offered attendees who may “feel uncomfortable leaving” the ability to stay in the chambers until the end of the entire meeting.    

Numerous cities throughout the Bay Area have discussed passing such resolutions over the last few months, with the San Bruno, San Mateo and Foster City councils ultimately rejecting requests to add it to future agendas. San Francisco and Oakland have passed cease-fire-related resolutions in the last several months, and South San Francisco indicated support for one. 

On March 4, San Mateo County Supervisor Noelia Corzo proposed a resolution at the San Mateo Medical Center Board declaring support for health care workers in Gaza. Supervisor David Canepa said he was against the measure but, with seven other board members abstaining, there was no vote.