Pro-Palestine protesters delayed the Waukegan City Council meeting for approximately 25 minutes Monday evening after the city council’s resolution to promote a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war failed to pass. | Screengrab

Pro-Palestine protesters disrupted the Waukegan City Council meeting on Monday after a city resolution to promote a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war failed to pass.

The Waukegan City Council held its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.

Part of the meeting agenda was for the council to vote on a motion to approve a resolution that would promote ceasefire awareness and advocacy in the city for peace in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The resolution was introduced by 4th Ward Alderperson Victor Felix.

Felix’s resolution says that the city “expresses deep concern” for the conflict and “calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire” in the region.

The resolution would also raise awareness and encourage residents to stay informed about the Israel-Palestine conflict, have the city support the efforts of organizations working toward humanitarian relief, urge the U.S. government to “intensify diplomatic efforts aimed at facilitating a ceasefire” and designate July 15, 2024, as “Peace and Awareness Day” in Waukegan.

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A copy of the resolution was sent to President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Illinois congressional delegation “to convey the concerns and aspirations of the residents of Waukegan regarding the conflict between Palestine and Israel.”

Felix read the final draft of his resolution at the Monday council meeting at 7:30 p.m.

In a 4-3 vote, the resolution failed to be passed.

3rd Ward Alderperson Juan Martinez, 7th Ward Alderperson Michael Donnenwirth, 8th Ward Alderperson Lynn Florian and 9th Ward Alderperson Thomas Hayes, who was mayor pro tem because Mayor Ann Taylor was not at the meeting, voted “nay,” or no.

“Shame!” the audience said as each alderperson voted against the resolution.

1st Ward Alderperson Sylvia Bolton, 2nd Ward Alderperson Jose Guzman and 4th Ward Alderperson Victor Felix voted “aye,” or yes.

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The audience applauded after each vote in favor of the resolution.

5th Ward Alderperson Edith Newsome and 6th Ward Alderperson Keith Turner abstained from voting.

One man immediately got up and expressed disapproval at the alderpeople who both voted against the resolution and decided to abstain.

“You guys don’t represent us! Kids are dying!” the visibly upset man yelled as he walked out of the room.

Audience members stood up and began yelling “shame on you” at the council members before transitioning to chanting “ceasefire now” for over two minutes.

“If we don’t get it?” one man said, to which the crowd repeatedly chanted, “Shut it down.”

All city council members, except for Turner, exited the room until the crowd had left. They resumed the council meeting 25 minutes later.

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