‘Profound disappointment’ in lack of ceasefire resolution from Tantramar council
On Tuesday night, about 50 people gathered outside Sackville town hall for a vigil remembering the victims of Israeli bombings in Gaza, and asking the Tantramar councillors meeting inside to back a resolution in support of a ceasefire.
Sackville Ceasefire Coalition member Sarah Kardash told the crowd gathered that she was profoundly disappointed in Tantramar council for not taking up the call, but the group continues to ask for a resolution from council. “Municipal governments have a moral obligation to speak up, represent their communities, and collectively call for urgent action from the Canadian government,” said Kardash.
“Ceasefire is a popular demand that people the world over are being asked to take up by Palestinians in Gaza,” said Kardash. “Yet there is no notice of motion on the council’s agenda tonight.”
Kardash said that several councillors responded to the group after a presentation last month which laid out their case for a resolution, but none were willing to put forward a motion. While Councillor Allison Butcher responded positively to the coalition’s presentation in January, Kardash said she later told the group by email that she was “unconvinced that [their resolution] would do much to alter world affairs.”
Councillor Mike Tower emailed the group to say he shared their concerns about the loss of life and the suffering happening in Gaza, but didn’t believe their motion was the answer.… Continue
Petition calls on council to join other municipalities in asking for federal action on ceasefire in Gaza
The devastation in Gaza was again top of mind at Sackville town hall on Tuesday, as about 50 local residents gathered in the cold outside to hold a candlelight vigil, with others attended the meeting inside, and asked Tantramar council to follow the lead of other Canadian municipalities, and ask the federal government to pursue a ceasefire in Gaza.
Sackville Ceasefire Coalition member Sarah Kardash presented to council, spending her five minutes of allotted time laying out reasons why town council should write to Prime minister Justin Trudeau and ask him to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
“As a Jewish member of the coalition, I’m horrified that Israel is weaponizing the deaths of Israeli citizens on October 7 to fuel a genocidal war against Palestinians,” said Kardash, quoting the large numbers of Palestinians killed in the Israeli campaign to eradicate Hamas.
According to the estimates from the Gaza Health Ministry, over 23,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, the majority women and children.
“The UN has called Gaza a graveyard for children,” Kardash told council. “Imagine the equivalent of two nuclear bombs dropping on an area half the size of Tantramar… Experts say the relentless bombing by Israel since October 7 is the most destructive in modern history and among the deadliest in recent history.”
Kardash presented a detailed petition to council signed by 253 local residents, and organized by the coalition, which Kardash described as “a group of Tantramar residents of diverse ages, faiths and backgrounds who are united as global citizens in our humanitarian concerns for the people of Gaza.”… Continue