Since January, members of the Sonoma Valley Ceasefire Coalition have attended many City Council meetings, requesting that Council members approve a ceasefire resolution to send a clear message to federal officials opposing U.S. support for the mass slaughter in Palestine. On June 5th, a resolution crafted by the Mayor and Vice Mayorwas on the agenda, yet the Council failed to bring it to a vote, citing discomfort and division among the Council members.
Today, more than 100 US cities have passed such resolutions, reminding us of the long history of local government involvement in foreign affairs, particularly in the era of the imperial presidency, starting with Vietnam and the nuclear arms race, when power became highly centralized in the executive branch at the expense of Congress.
Between 1966 and 1971, there were a dozen local referendums against the Vietnam War, revealing growing popular opposition. All considered after 1968 passed. In the 1980s, 900 local governments approved nuclear freeze resolutions opposing the arms race. In the 1980s, 22 counties and more than 90 cities approved economic sanctions, including divestment, against apartheid South Africa.
The role of grassroots movements in countering an unchecked Presidency is essential to our democracy. Just this month, the Council acknowledged its critical role in foreign affairs when it hosted the Consul General of Ukraine and donated an ambulance to the country amid war. In 2020, consistent with what some historians call municipal foreign or global policy, the Sonoma City Council approved a climate emergency resolution and appointed a new joint Climate City Council subcommittee to develop a climate action plan.
Local government that stands closest to the people can express their will when the federal government is unresponsive to public opinion. Over the years, grassroots movements have influenced and profoundly altered American foreign policy. Sonoma Valley for Ceasefire has conducted a textbook grassroots campaign, collecting over 570 local signatures, most from 95476 zip codes, calling for the city to pass a resolution; emailed and called council members requesting meetings; hosting well-attended educational, arts, and cultural events, and fundraisers for humanitarian aid.
The demand for a ceasefire is consistent with public opinion. According to an April 2024 national Data for Progress poll of likely voters, 83 percent of Democrats, 65 percent of Independents, and 56 percent of Republicans support an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
Organizers have continued to lobby council members since the 5th and have requested the ceasefire resolution be re-agendized at the next meeting on July 17th, with three amendments requested by Sonoma Valley Ceasefire: first, a provision to condemn antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinianism. Second, addition of the clause “the release of all hostages.” Third, the resolution should explicitly call for the end of offensive military assistance to Israel.
Cotati, Fort Bragg, Davis, Albany, Richmond, Oakland, San Francisco, and Sacramento are amongst the 22 California cities approving ceasefire resolutions. Sonoma should join the growing list.
Please sign the ceasefire petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sonoma-valley-for-a-ceasefire-resolution-2/
Maria Barakat and Marty Bennett
Maria Barakat and Marty Bennett are members of the Sonoma Valley for Ceasefire Coalition and long-time residents of the City and the Sonoma Valley.
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