a
[Music]
he
[Music]
I'd like to all call to order the city
Caucus meeting for Monday May 13th
2024 we have 21 items for original
consideration if the clerk would please
Deputy clerk would please read item
number
one item number one for original
consideration a resolution supporting
submission of an application by city of
SCCY for the restore NY round 8 Grant
discussed in committee with objection
and on consent item number two item
number two for original consideration a
resolution authorizing the mayor or his
designity to enter into a contract with
the New York state division of Homeland
Security and emergency services
dhss to secure grant funding under the
fy2021 cyber security grant
program discussed in committee without
objection on consent item number three under original
consideration a resolution authorizing
the city to enter into a contract with
the New York state division of Homeland
Security and emergency services dhss to
secure grant funding under the FY 2021
Tactical Team grant program discussed in
committee with an objection on consent
item number four item number four under
original consideration a resolution
authorizing the city to enter into a
contract with the New York state
division of Criminal Justice Services to
secure grant funding under New York
State fy2020 Edward burn Memorial
Justice assistant grant program Jag
discuss in committee without objection
on consent item number five item number
five under original consideration a
resolution adopting the Albany and crane
streets complete Street study discussed
in committee with an objection on
consent item number six item number six
under original consideration a
resolution authorizing an easement to
Niagara Mohawk power Corporation DBA
National Grid discussed in committee
with objection on consent item number
seven item number seven under original
consideration a resolution authorizing
an amendment correcting typographical
errors and resolution number 2024 D 089
discussed in committee with objection on
consent item number eight item number
eight under original consideration a
resolution confirming the appointment of
harling Andress as representative of the
conc municipal Housing Authority discuss
in committee with objection on consent
item number nine item number nine under
original consideration a resolution
authorizing an option agreement to
transfer 929 101 and 1014 Pleasant
Street and 723 Congress Street to the
land reutilization Corporation of the
capital region discussed in committee
with an objection on consent item number
10 item number 10 under original
consideration a resolution authorizing
the sale of 1309 First Avenue for
$29,000 discussed in committee with
objection on consent item number 11 item
number 11 under original consideration a
resolution authorizing the sale of 853
emage Street for $50,000 discussed in
committee with objection on consent item
number 12 item number 12 under original
consideration a resolution authorizing
the sale of a vacant lot on paage street
for
$2,551 discuss in committee with an
objection on consent item number 13 item
number 13 under original consideration a
resolution authorizing the sale of 701
Windsor Terrace for $45,100
discussed and committee without
objection on consent item number 14 item
number 14 under original consideration a
resolution authorizing the settlement of
a claim by Lawrence Daly discussed in
committee with an objection on consent
item number 15 16 and 17 will be pulled
by the request of Corporation councel
and brought back at a later date
item number 18 item number 18 under
original consideration a resolution
recognizing Lisa Fagan during Teacher
Appreciation Week 2024 this item will be
taken out of order and presented by
councilman Williams item number 19 item
number 19 under original consideration a
resolution recognizing Lisa adamic for
over 36 years of service to the city of
skty this item will be taken out of
order and presented by myself item
number 20 item number 20 under original
consideration a resolution ution
recognizing the SKC Heritage Foundation
this item will be taken out of order and
presented by council member Doro item
number 21 item number 21 under contract
and Supply a resolution awarding the bid
and contract for the conected police
locker and toilet room contracts GC EC
and PC as listed in a total amount of
$571,500
discussed in committee with objection
and on consent if there's nothing more
to come before the city council caucus I
ask for a motion to adj
motion by Miss Patrick second by Mr
Williams all those in favor I we are
adjourned I'd like to call the city
council meeting to order for Monday May
13
2024 and I'd like to call on co-pastor
Amanda Thompson of the new day Christian
Empowerment Center for the prayer
invocation let us pray Heavenly Father
we come before you tonight in humility
and faith we thank you for all you have
given us and the many blessings in our
lives we ask for your guidance and your
strength show us the way and fill us
with your courage and wisdom help us to
remember your love and guidance and be
faithful in our service to you give us
the patience and the understanding to
face life's challenges with
Grace Lord Jesus you are the king and
the true king of peace
in you alone is found
Freedom please free our world from
conflict bring Unity to troubled Nations
let your gracious peace reign in every
heart dispel all darkness and evil
protect the Dignity of every human being
replace hatred with love give wisdom to
the leaders of this nation and All
Nations free them from selfish
Ambitions and eliminate all violence and
War in the name of your father we pray
amen and amen amen I'd like to ask
council member D Tor to Le Us in the
pledge i
al United States of America to the for
stands one nation God indivisible liy
and justice for all thank you
if the clerk would please complete the
roll
call Mr Toro pres Mr Farley pres Mr
Mancini pres Mr mud is absent Miss
Patrick here Mr Williams here miss
Porterfield
here I'd like to ask council member
Patrick to please take the chair so I
could present two resolutions
s
may I have the floor you may thank you
I'd like to call John kuchi to come up
please I help this a resolution
recognizes John kucho for his 35 years
of service to the city of
skincity whereas John kucho began
working for the city of skincity as a
signal superintendent on June 12th 1989
and and in 2017 John assumed the duties
of director of operations for a few
months in addition to being the signal
supervisor and whereas on August 11th
1989 John received his certificate of
achievement for a completion of the
signal signal timing organization
program Transit syt -7f training
provided by the New York State energy
Department office and whereas serving as
the signal supervisor John's numerous
duties included overseeing the
installation maintenance and repair of
electrical and electronic traffic
signals and controllers and of course
being responsible being responsible for
all signs in the city of
skincity and whereas for many years John
has worked on the smart city project the
goal of which is to help build an
environment of sustainability efficiency
and improved quality of Life by
leveraging technology and Innovation for
the betterment of residents and
businesses and
skincity and whereas some components of
that project are the National Grid rev
demonstration project smart lighting and
the climate smart projects including
solar and electric vehicles and whereas
in 2013 the city of skincity Mayor
McCarthy and John kucho were recognized
for assisting the be Bethesda house with
Pho Volk system installation project the
project consisted of installing solar
modules on the roof and installing a
conduit from the roof which Carri the
free electricity produced by the system
to the building's utility system thanks
to this project Bethesda house produced
free electricity and saved money on
their utility bills and whereas in 2018
John kucho was responsible for
overseeing the roll out of municip
municity a cloud-based software program
developed to help municipalities combat
Urban blight and to help properly keep
track of various properties and whereas
these highlights are just a few of the
project John has been involved in and
his lengthy career with the city of
skincity now therefore be resolved that
the connected city council and Mayor
Gary R McCarthy do hereby pause in their
deliberations to recognize and
congratulate John kucho for his 35 years
of service to the city of skincity we
thank him for his many contributions to
the development of the city and wish him
well
[Music]
I'd like to move the
resolution so
move oh we we actually um had the
resolution was passed at the last
council meeting um so no motion is
needed thank you congratulations
john 35 years
oh on I just want to thank everybody for
the opportunity to work for the city for
this long a period um I love the city I
always have and I always will and um I'm
sure it's going to continue to prosper
and I'll be around and make sure that uh
that's the case thank
[Applause]
you other way
thanks thank you John so item number
19a a resolution recognizing Lisa adamic for over
36 Adam for over 36 years of service to
the city of SKC this will also be
presented by Council of President
Porterfield Miss Porterfield you may
have the floor thank you I'd like to
have Miss adame come up please
are you tonight a resolution recognizing
Lisa adamic for her more than 36 years
of service to the city of sken whereas
Lisa Adam was born and raised in skena
New York and attended Mount Pleasant
High School her family owned a
restaurant in the city called Mike
called Mike's Pizza Adobe which was
located on State Street and she where
she worked from her childhood and
developed her work ethic and whereas
Lisa began working for the the city of
skincity in 1987 first as a part-time
clerk typist with the within the health
Bureau during her employment with the
city Lisa has worked in many different
positions where she gained a vast amount
of experience and knowledge and whereas
in 1988 she transferred to the finance
department holding the titles of data
entry machine operator senior audit
Clerk and principal billing audit and
accounts payable clerk during that time
she was in put in charge of the accounts
payable and then the purchasing
department and whereas in 2008 Lisa went
to work for the Department of utilities
and Facilities where she then became
part of the information technology
department implementing training and
programming the city's Tyler munus
Financial software and whereas Lisa
along with co-workers worked with the
city for Technologies and government to
design and implement the Unicity
software working along with other
municipalities she was part of
developing the New York State cold
officials data exchange she also oversaw
all the signs signals street lights and
posting of work orders to ensure
completeness and accuracy and filled in
for the signal superintendent when he
was
unavailable now therefore it be resolved
that the connected city council and
Mayor Gary AR McCarthy do hereby pausing
their deliberations to recognize Lisa
adamic for her years of service to the
city of skincity and to congratulate her
and wish her well on her retirement I'd
like to move
moved by council president Porterfield
iser
second seconded by Mr Williams all those
in favor I
[Applause]
I I just want to like say the same
sentiments as John it's been a pleasure
to work for the city for all these
shares um we did some great things and I
see some great things coming in your
future and the last thing I want to say
is I beat John by a year
[Applause]
thank you Miss Patrick our next out of
order resolution is a recognizing Lisa
Fagan for Teacher um excuse me for
during Teacher Appreciation Week 2024
councilman Williams
may I have the floor you have the floor
sir all right I'd like to invite Lisa
Fagan and her family and friends if
they'd like to come up front as
well no
whereas teachers work tirelessly
dedicating their time energy and passion
to shaping the minds of future
Generations their work extends beyond
the classroom because they impart
knowledge instill values Inspire
creativity and Foster a love for
Learning and whereas Teacher
Appreciation Week originated in 1953
when first lady Elanor Roosevelt urged
Congress to recognize the contributions
of Educators and it became nationally
recognized in 1980 and is celebrated the
first full week of May and whereas
Teacher Appreciation Week 2024 is
celebrated was celebrated from May 6th
to May 10th and acknowledges the
personal sacrifice and tieless
commitments undertaken in the pursuit of
shaping and molding
Minds it is a time for students parents
administrators and communities to come
together and express their appreciation
for educators dedication and hard work
and whereas this year's theme of
teachers are shining stars appreciates
the impactful work within this vital
community that makes the world brighter
one student at a time as they prepare
school children for the future by their
actions both in and out of the
classrooms and whereas Lisa Fagan a
lifelong teacher tutor and self-regard
accessibility specialist has focused her
professional career on aiding students
with high support needs Miss Fagan
embodies the true tenants of teaching by
creating an interactive and reflective
classroom environment prioritizing
inclusivity and fostering deeper
learning through collaboration and
whereas teacher appreciation we week
acknowledges communities to outwardly
Express their gratitude to teachers
while acknowledging the challenges
within our education systems such as but
not limited to adapting to and engaging
diverse learning styles meeting
curriculum standards and balancing
workloads teacher appreciation week is a
time to listen and stand with Educators
to give them the respect they deserve
and the resources they need to help
students succeed now therefore be it
resolved that the city that the concy
city council and Mayor Gary AR McCarthy
do hear by pausing their deliberations
to
recognize um to recognize Miss Fagan and
her commitments to our education system
with the city is connected you
I'd like to move the resolution I need a
second please you second second M Mr
Farley all those in favor I
congratulations any
[Applause]
words thank you so much to the city of
SKC and all of you um Council miliams
I'm sorry I know you said two or three
minutes but they don't often let me
speak in public so it might be a little
bit more
as was stated I've dedicated my entire
career to making life easier in the
world for students disability is the
largest minority class in the world and
as Emily ladu States in her book
demystifying disabilities disability is
the only identity that anyone can
suddenly take on at any
time think about that for one moment
when you break your leg you need to use
a wheelchair you're disabled whether
it's temporary or permanently you are
disable disabled at that moment as a
nation we live longer and longer and
every person in this room will probably
be disabled or has been at some point in
their
life the problem is as that we
hide the visibly disabled because we're
afraid of that and we shouldn't and we
need to stop we're masking ourselves and
we can't as a society we will do
anything but seek the help that we need
and give people the help they need
that's why it took so long for me to get
my diagnosis as autistic and
ADHD but I always felt the shame of that
inner
ableism and it starts really really
early and it starts when you're
tiny I was in the first grade when
sister Elaine yelled at me for coloring
outside of the lines in front of the
entire
class thank Betty I have a mother with
the sense of social justice and Humanity
that she taught me she brought me to the
eye doctor I got glasses then she
brought me back to school and she had my
teacher apologize to me just knowing
that I deserve that apology and that
every teacher should get each child the
grace to assume they are trying every
single day their
best has shaped my entire life and my
career teachers are not infallible we
make
mistakes but
sometimes sometimes they're big
sometimes they're small but every single
time we need to give kid KS Grace and we
need to give them the apologies they
deserve my little brother who's all
grown up now makes way more money than I
do would never have survived a classroom
as they are
today he needs to move to think he
literally walks 10 miles a day now he's
the kid that moves so much that it makes
you nervous the kind of kid who breaks
his arm roller skating on a Saturday and
doesn't tell anybody until Wednesday and
when they get to the the doctors want to
call CPS thank God Dr scandin knew us he
couldn't sit still at a desk all day he
still can't he's literally physically
not able to he didn't go to college but
he's read more books and is more
intelligent than any other person I've
ever met in my entire
life I see kids like him every single
day being sent out of classrooms in this
nation often times in handcuffs
because the entire world changed the
world was locked down we as Educators
had to learn how to teach differently
and kids had to learn how to learn
differently we came back from school and
it was like Wayne said game on and the
education system went right back to the
status quo of kids sitting in rows being
quiet and taking bubble tests it's not
party time and it is not excellent the
rest of society is adapting to the ever
changing world when will our schools do
that when I work with kids I don't just
see a kid choosing to be a apathetic
aggressive or what I usually hear
dumb I see a human being with endless
potential to change our world who's
trying to communicate something but they
just don't know how to communicate it
yet I absorb and I catalog all of that
information the verbal and the
non-verbal communication because all
Behavior is
communication then I use it all to make
sure they can thrive in our
society anyone who knows me knows that I
probably tripped coming up here I almost
fell over over
there I've often been told I'm clumsy
and I need to watch out what I'm
doing now as a 47-year-old autistic and
ADHD disabled
woman I know I have a neurode Divergent
brain and one of the traits of this
brain is a disabling condition called a
praia basically my brain says go over
there and my body says you got this they
don't got
it I have spent years feeling badly
about myself because I had no
coordination no matter how much I
practice some skills I may never be able
to get them done that doesn't make me a
bad person or mean that I don't
contribute to
society it just means that I had to
learn how to adapt my EnV environment so
that I could Thrive and help others
Thrive my superpower allows me to change
the world for those kids and it's a
result of my magical neurode Divergent
brain you see when I look up I see
computer screens with a B bazillion open
tabs and I'm not just saying that
figuratively I can actually see
information in front of me and then I
can use my hands and my mind to sort the
information and I open in close Habs and
I make connections that no one else can
often see for
years I can sus out information to the
point that sometimes people think I'm a
psychic no I'm neurod Divergent
empathetic as my mom likes to say every
student I see in front of me and every
coworker is a living breathing human
being they have their own struggles and
joys some just need more
support some are smarter some are more
talented
than anyone sitting here today even my
little brother if you even made it in
Billy if you cannot truly feel that in
your
soul I really suggest you take a good
look at yourself read the book
demystifying disabilities and explore
your own internalized
ableism I'd like to dedicate this
resolution in my work to two very
important children that have touched my
life one I never had the blessing to
meet
one saves me over and over again every
day Samantha Humphrey should be sitting
in a classroom at skincity high school
tomorrow
morning let's not forget that a child in
our community was
murdered and let's all strive to do
better be better and be kind to every
single person you
meet the other child I want to speak
about is estan
noé I met her as a child in need who
made a mistake
she grew in front of my eyes into a
bright and beautiful and loving mother
and business owner some of you might
have known her as this connected sweets
woman who was then there for me when I
needed her the
most she was one of the best humans I've
ever met in my life and had the pleasure
of knowing and loving and I was beyond
devastated to lose her last year she's
my angel and she constantly watches over
me I do what I do for the Samanthas and
the estaphan and the the lucases and the
joies and all of them all of the kids of
the world and I'll continue to do it to
the best of my ability with every single
five of my being until I join each of
them in conclusion until our world
values the expertise and the Magical
brains of all of our teachers
paraprofessionals
custodians and other Direct Care
personnel with the same level of pay and
respect that we give security monitors
and administrators
based on our education and experience we
will continue to fail as a
society treat anyone you meet whether
they can speak or cannot speak walk see
or think like you do with the same
respect and Assumption of Competency as
you would want for
yourself if you're disabled please be
loud and be proud about it make sure
that people realize that disability
isn't something to be ashamed of or
something to be pied make it okay to
Flap when you're happy make it okay to
rock when you're sad take a break to
regulate yourself bring your own hamic
chair to meetings normalize being to
thrive being able to thrive as a person
because the pursuit of happiness is not
just
survival it's to thrive and that is a
basic human right and fre all oppressed
people ac across the world including
Palestine
w w
[Applause]
we have one more out of out of order
resolution resolution 20a recognizing SK
the Heritage Foundation Heritage
Foundation like to call on council
member Doro to present this
resolution thank you may I have the
floor you have the floor yes I'd like to
call up a group of individuals this
evening who spend their uh many hours
volunteering researching collecting
analyzing and interpreting
hisat historical data and we're so lucky
and proud to have them here in our city
and our our
County whereas May is dedicated to
National preservation month also known
as historical preservation month the
month celebrates the nation's Heritage
through historic places organizations
across the country promote a variety of
activities on the local state and
National
levels whether you are interested in
touring historical sites are helping to
preserve the history in your backyard
there is something for everyone whereas
not only the places worth preserving but
the stories behind them are too
everywhere we go there is more to
discover whether the story is found in
archives or addicts you guys was
there
um it consists of board of direct uh it
can addicts peeling back the layers of
time helps us to understand the past
recording stories helps us to provide a
rich and Lively history of the people
who lived and worked here we are a
better image we can better imagine their
hardships what they have overcome and
the difficult decisions they made in the
face of
adversity whereas SKC Heritage
Foundation the foundation is a volunteer
nonprofit organization whose mission is
to Foster historic preservation in SKC
County it consists of a board of
directors whose members are dedicated to
the principles of historic preservation
have expertise in the field and are
committed to advancing these principles
it is registered with the state of New
York the Bureau of
Charities whereas it is a true Testament
to the dedication and passion passion of
the people involved preserving history
isn't just about maintaining old
buildings or artifacts it's about
keeping the story of spirit in place
alive for generations to come it is
heartwarming to see our community come
together to honor their Heritage in such
a meaningful way and whereas having
dedicated individuals and organizations
like the connected City historian the
county
historian the connected County
Historical Society the SK connected
Heritage Foundation and dedicated
neighborhood groups shows a strong
commitment to honoring the past and
enduring the future Generations can
appreciate and learn from it
collaborative efforts like these are
essential for maintaining the integrity
and richness of historic neighborhoods
and
landmarks now therefore be it resolved
that the city SKC city council and Mayor
Gary arm McCarthy do hereby pause in
their deliberations to recognize
the historic
committee for the work they do here in
the city thank
you I'd like to move
it may I have a second please second by
Miss Patrick all in favor I
congratulations motion
[Applause]
passes e
[Applause]
thank you
Gloria well thank you uh
councilwoman Doro um I just want to
thank uh the city and the mayor for
supporting SKC Heritage foundation's
initiatives to um preserve the history
of of the city of skty uh along with my
colleagues that were just up here uh we
really appreciate working with the city
on projects that are both big and small
uh everything from changing the zoning
of the the uh historic m Sonic Temple to
smaller projects like supporting with a
grant from the foundation the revision
of the historic preservation uh
guidelines for the historic commission
uh who we love working with um and we
look forward to working with the city in
the future on all sorts of projects
including smaller ones like uh houses
that the city sells uh we're currently
working with you on one 30 Front Street
that we hope will soon go through um
another house will be saved in The
Stockade um but we appreciate all the
efforts of all the people that work in
historic
preservation and um we hope to continue
in the future so thank you so
[Applause]
much I'll ask for approval of the
minutes for April 22nd 2024 for moved by
Mr Williams second by Mr Mancini all in
favor
I like the clerk to read any
Communications and
petitions Communications presented to
city council for Monday May 13th
2024 under official from mayor McCarthy
a letter recommending harleen Andrew to
the civilian police review
board under General from Paul
an email requesting either a stop sign
or speed bump for Becker Street to slow
down
traffic from Rabbi Matthew Cutler a
letter recognizing Israel Independence
Day and the importance of Israel to the
Jewish community and requesting sincere
efforts to ensure the safety of Jewish
residents in our community under
petitions none thank
you call on council member for any
committee reports any committee
reports this time we'll have have uh
privilege of the floor related to the
legislative agenda and I have no one
else sign no one signed up to speak so I
declare public comment on the
legislative agenda
closed I'll ask for approval of the
consent agenda move my Miss
Patrick second by Mr Mancini all in
favor
I time we'll have privilege of the floor
regarding General City business I have
29 people who are signed up to speak
I just want to um just go over the the
rule guidelines because I know that many
of you are not from our municipality and
have not perhaps not been at this
meeting before we do have a three minute
time limit you will hear my phone go off
when your time is up if you're in the
middle of a sentence I will allow you to
complete that however please don't go
much over that because then I will ask
you have to ask you to summarize we do
have 29 people signed up to speak so
that's a lot of speakers and everyone
deserves their opportunity so please uh
I would ask that you will respectfully
um stay within your
time this first speaker is zarif
hanif is zarif hanif
here okay uh the next speaker is uh Imam
Jamal Sha
[Applause]
good evening Mr Mayor Madame President
honorable council members as you can see
not my people but the people have
gathered here to remind you all once
again we have a ceasefire resolution
that was proposed to the city council
we've heard public comments from the
mayor from some of the council
members basically minimizing the
ceasefire resolution
and we're here to remind you all of your
Collective Humanity we're here to remind
you
all that you can move this resolution to
the floor for a vote and make it public
as to where you
stand those who are in favor and those
who are
not no feelings will be hurt but it will
help us as the people understand your
position on a matter that is a red line for us
this is important for us I say this on
behalf of the residents of the city of
skty there's no danger posed to anyone
but I will remind you that when you
don't listen as an elected official to
the people who you're supposed to
represent you probably won't hold that
seat for too much longer that's just the
reality of politics isn't it so I say
with the utmost sincerity reaching out
to you again where in this resolution do
you find hate where in this resolution
do you find racism
anti-Semitism where in the resolution do
you find it problematic to just simply
say yes Rabbi Matthew Cutler who issued
a statement that was read on record
would appreciate the fact that the
resolution calls for the release of
Israeli hostages held in Gaza the
Palestinian brothers and sisters that we
have they would appreciate the
resolution being passed to speak to the
atrocities that their families have had
to endure for the last 7 months and 75
[Applause]
years I've come to you speaking in
different ways I've come to you to
appeal with my hat in my hand but now
I'm coming to you to appeal very
directly
we had the uh resolution to honor the
teacher and you heard her last words
free
Palestine the last city council meeting
we had just over 3 weeks ago since then
what has changed in this country I want
to ask you all to reflect upon that the
young people the next generation of
leaders the people who will be sitting
in your seats in 20 years in 10 years in
30 years in 40 years and 50
years they are not sitting quietly by and
saying this has nothing to do with us
they are putting themselves their
careers and their Futures on the line
but guess what their future is a lot
brighter than anyone else who who
chooses to sit by and let things pass as
if they have no role to
play all we're asking you is to pass a
ceasefire resolution we're not asking
you to roll up your sleeves and go to
Washington and appeal to the Senators we
will do that but we need this resolution
passed here to show that we can actually
affect change within human beings who
were previously uninvolved and un
uninitiated and unaware of this whole
conflict now you have a
choice you can choose to ignore us you
choose to ignore us that's as good as
saying no I want to remind you of that
there is no way out you have to say yes
or no and we leave you with that thank
you very much
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
sah
[Applause]
Samir hello my name is feris ammer I am
a native New Yorker a resident of the
capital region and I'm a Palestinian
American who's been blessed with the
opportunity to live in the West Bank I
want to just take a moment to introduce
you to what was what my life was like
living in the West Bank me start with
the school bus to school what should
have been a 7-minute ride became a
50-minute ride because the intersection
connecting my town to the city where my
school was in Palestinians weren't
allowed to use it it was a segregated
Road only for Israelis and when we had
to go on a detour 50 minutes we'd stop
at a checkpoint some days and be
randomly searched taken off the school
bus have our bags and bus searched the
occupation of water when we'd come home
from school on random days and find that
the Israeli authorities had said there's
not enough water to go around for
everybody today there's no water for
your village meanwhile across the street
the Israeli settlements 24/7 access to
water to
electricity despite this and many other
small or big hardships that we
faced I'm not I could not be more
thankful to be Palestinian and I am so
lucky to be from the West Bank because
had I been from a town one hour West I
might be trapped in Gazza right now I
might be stuck under the rubber right
now I might have had to bury loved ones
lost limbs had my house bombed my
University
bombed maybe I would have been a victim
of an
strike so why does it matter that you
hear our local Representatives call for
a ceasefire I'd like to think that if I
was born inza stuck under the rubble
you'd still value my life the same way
if I was there as you do that I'm here
and it doesn't matter where I'm from
what my skin color is what my faith is
that you'd value my life regardless
thank you cease fire now
[Music]
Ahmad Abu
hamik thank you uh my name is Ahmed Abu
hakma and I'm also here um proposing
that you pass the ceasefire
resolution um as Rabbi Cutler had
mentioned something about recognizing
the independence of the state of Israel
it's important to note that the 15th of
May 1948 holds a very tragic historic
date for the Palestinians it is the
catastrophe that befell
them namely that the state of Israel was
established on the death destruction
dismembered bodies of Palestinians and
the destruction of their homes including
my wife whose family are
refugees
similarly it is true that Jews had fled
Europe to flee religious persecution and
at the same time they established their
state by destroying a Palestinian
Society just as it is true that the
founding fathers of this country were
fleeing religious persecution in Western
[Applause]
Europe and they established this country
on the backs of slaves and on the
genocide of Native
Americans if you'll allow me I'd like to
speak about my family who lives there I
have relatives in Jerusalem who are from
the quote unquote full citizens of
Israel who enjoy complete rights my
conversations with them are basically
non-existent now because their phone
lines are tapped and they will be thrown
into jail if they say anything to
criticize the
state my relatives in the West Bank are
basically living under house arrest with
a completely stalled economy their cash
crop the olive they were denied half of
their Harvest this year when I went in
2004 I could access Farmland that I
couldn't access in 2009 Grandpa why
can't we go there now because
that road is just for Israelis well what
happens if we cross that road nothing
will happen to you grandson but I will
get shot if I cross that
road and that's nothing compared to
Gaza but it has everything to do with
Gazza because the game plan is to
suffocate the Palestinians in the West
Bank so that it becomes another Gazza
and as we're talking about suffocation
we have to recognize that people aren't
eating about a month ago
a Girl by the name of Charlotte busky 5
years old and connected was found dead
in her home and police came to the
conclusion that she was starved by her
father in this
town and he faces up to 18 years in
prison which I think is very light
personally um so then what then should
be said about a country in Israel who
makes it their public policy to St
starve a captive population in
Gazza happy belated Mother's Day for the
mothers
here and yet it's very difficult to
celebrate Mother's Day when the Bedrock
of
society nice ringtone let's turn it
off oh that was a timer okay that is
your timer sir okay
all right I think it's very clear you're
either going to offend a people
committing a famine and a genocide or
the people who are suffering from it by
the decisions you make please make the
right choice it's very
[Music]
obvious Barbara Smith
[Applause]
good evening I appreciate the
opportunity to speak here at your
council meeting this evening thank you
council members thank you president
Porterfield thank you mayor McCarthy my
name is Barbara Smith I'm a resident of
leam New York but for 37 years I was a
resident of uh the city of Albany uh I
served on the Albany common Council for
two terms from 2006 until
2013 so following that I was invited by
and hired by the mayor to establish the
first Equity agenda for the city of
Albany so I have 12 years of government
service late in life um I'm here today
to of course support the that the conc
city council
passes uh introduces and passes
a ceasefire resolution as you well know
the common Council of Albany passed the
first ceasefire resolution in New York
state on January the 4th I was a part of
the small group that worked night and
day to help that to happen many many
more people than the eight of us and
there were only eight of us who worked
very very hard the fact that I had been
a member of the common Council was
helpful in that context because I knew
what the rules were I knew what was
possible and it was some of the most
important work I wrote that the night
that actually I think it was the uh
night in J uh in December when we went
to the common Council not the night that
it passed but I wrote to friends of mine
I said this is some of the most
meaningful political work that I have
ever been involved
in and I have been involved in working
for justice since I was a teenager in
Cleveland Ohio in the early
1960s I said I thought that this was
some of the most meaningful political
work that I had ever been involved in
and one of the reasons it was so
meaningful to me is because it's we did
something that means much to me that is
really kind of the Bedrock of why I do
many of the things I do that is we
worked in Coalition across
differences um we worked with members of
the Muslim community of the Arab
American community of the Palestinian
American uh community of the Central
Asian Community not just in Albany but
in the entire region to get that passed
just like tonight with this standing
room only crowd here in your city hall
hundreds of people hundreds of people
came to support the resolution that
eventually was passed and you know I
have been to a lot of Council meetings I
was on for eight years I was going to
Council meetings before I was on the
common Council so I have been to many
Council meetings I had never seen people
come out by the hundreds to support uh
what they needed to support that's the
end of my time I just want to tell you
about an article that I hope that I can
send to your uh Clerk and whoever passes out and tears things with
um with people on the console it's an
article that says it's from the nation
it's dated March 21st 2024 100 100
American communities have called for a
Gaza ceasefire resolution
100 so this is not this is not an
outlier this is not strange to do at
certain times people have to stand on
the right side of History I hope that
this connected city council does the
[Applause]
[Music]
same Jamaica miles Jamaica
[Applause]
miles this is not division this is Unity
I need you to remember that this is not
division this is Unity this is Unity
across all types of intersections so
don't let anybody fool you about who is
calling for this on Saturday I attended
the Hamilton Hill collaborative mural
unveiling through your mother's eyes it
is centered around mothers and sons
specifically those Sons whose lives were
cut short by acts of violence medical
violence in the case of Jerry Burell
vigilante and police violence in the
case of Martin Luther King Jr EMT till
Tamir rice and George Floyd today is the
39th anniversary of the move bombing in
Philadelphia in
1985 police raided and bombarded the
headquarters to move a black liberation
group founded in the early 1970s the
group fought for an end to redlining and
housing discrimination the group was
accused of making terrorist threats in
1996 a Federal Court ruled that the city
used excessive force and violated
constitutional Protections in 2021
Princeton University forensic
anthropology course allegedly did a case
study using the remains of two children
killed in aerial bombing the University
of Pennsylvania Museum of archaeology
and anthropology held the remains before
transferring them to Princeton the
medical examiner's office found a box
labeled move containing uncrated remains
how is this relevant to the need for a
ceasefire resolution in SKC the things
that this very body should be shocked
and shaken by are happening to people in
Palestine right
now every every single part of what I
read is an everyday reality for
Palestinians for being Palestinians the
same way that what happened to all of
those people right here in this country
happened because they were black in the
moment those in power saw no issue with
the inhumane treatment of one particular
group excuses were made the same is true
today the value of human life is not
treated as equal if you believe
otherwise it will not be understood by
your silence it will be known by your
words and your actions right now it is
US dollars that are paying for the
murder of Palestinians the over whelming
majority of civilians especially women
and children if the people who represent
this city and are in charge of making
decisions in the best interest of its
residents are not able to condemn
egregious acts of violence why would
should we believe that you will be moved
to help those of us right
here the residents the residents in this
city need housing like those that were
bombed in Philadelphia in 1985 the
residents in this city need health care
just like Jerry Burell did the money
that is being sent to Israel to kill
would be better used in connecti to heal
are our residents not worthy of your
advocacy as elected officials as elected
officials we we cuz I am an elected
official as elected officials we are to
use our position for the betterment of
our community always a resolution from
the city council would send a clear
message that our residents deserve the
resources necessary for their basic
needs and more a ceasefire resolution
says that SKC city council condemns
violence and prioritizes all life this
is a message that all of us can support
and I will close with the same message
that I shared with the artist Bianca
dalala that even though the revolution
may not be televised it will always be
recorded
[Music]
Megan LaVine Megan
[Applause]
LaVine mayor McCarthy president
Porterfield honorable members of the
city council you've heard my name is Meg
leavine I am Jewish and I seem to be
very much
alone I never thought I would need to
declare My Religion before a local
government body but that is the Le
likely the least
imaginable thing that has occurred since
October
7th I appear full of Sorrow yet
determined to persevere to feel Joy and
to hang on to hope for a better tomorrow
for all of us as is evident in our
Theology and culture centuries of Jewish
people have teetered between sour and
joy today though is particularly
significant as we do annually once again
within 24 hours transition from the
sorrow of Yom hazikaron which is our day
of remembrance of Fallen Soldiers and
victims of war and Terror we move
towards
yamut Israel's independence day 76 years
of struggle strength sorrow and joy but
little peace
and I totly understand without
responding to the comments behind me
that that is not the same view that
others have of that time and I'm not
here to do a history Point by point or
whether your facts or my facts are more
to the point to this issue or in fact
correct but I will say that today as I
mentioned sorrow and
joy at weddings of Jewish folks you even
might have seen it on the movies where
the groom steps on the glass that glass
is the broken synagogue in Jerusalem of
70
CE a presence of Jews in Israel from
thousands of years
ago my continued Jewish studies as an
adult is connected me to Israel our l l
liturgy and our prayers speak to Israel
in Jerusalem over and over again our
spiritual home as it is indeed the
spiritual home of Christianity and
Muslim I also have read article Islam
and I've also read articles that have
deepened my understanding of the pain of
those who now live in Gaza the West Bank
in Jordan those who previously lived in
Israel's 1948 borders that both people's
experience deep pain is
incontrovertible yet the actions of some
want to deny the pain of the other I do
not as I listened and heard in the first
of these City Council meetings the pain
runs deep among those who speak in favor
of the local body enter entertaining a
ceasefire
resolution intended to address
International
Affairs yet the city council's
jurisdiction is not
International it can't broker much hope
for peace can't address what happens the
day after or deal with the necessities
of the details of a seafire we have
heard these resolutions waved
around advocating one perspective very
much like placards and Banners can't
possibly contain the nuances of it all
instead it's like we won they lost that
is not the kind of resolution that will
bring our community together and I end
by saying I believe it's submitted for
the record a statement on on behalf of
Rabbi M Matt Cutler David Posner from
the jccc Robert kovat from Jewish
Federation and Rabbi Spitzer from
congregation
aim the focus is here on this community
it is with I'll wrap up and say it's
what this I feel kind of alone with all
the other comments this is it I think
for for this view that the that this
committee focus on joining this
community together bringing this
community to a sense of PE pieace
decreasing the stress in this community
we had a stronger Interfaith community
it's afraid we're all afraid thank you
very much for your attention thank
you SWA
Khan good evening my name is sakon I was
born and raised in skincity New York and
I'm currently I've just finished my
junior year at U Albany studying
political science with a concentration
in Global Studies this thank you this
semester I took International Security
in Conflict where we learned about the
attributes that make a conflict a war
there must be two or more sides and
there must be organized violence one
military versus another not a military
versus civilians like it is in Rafa as
we speak and it must be reciprocal
violence both both sides must be subject
to the the to and committing similar
levels of violence which all of us know
has not been the case in Palestine for
the last 76
[Music]
years none of the requirements have been
met to call the current conflict in
Palestine anything other than ethnic
cleansing what we are seeing is a
genocide and your children have been
learning through our public education
institutions about genocide for years
and we are saying enough the young
members of this community who you claim
only when it is beneficial are begging
you to do something consider and pass a
piece of legislation at the bare minimum
calling for a ceasefire my University
student
Senate was able to write and pass one
calling for a ceasefire and div m in
just a few weeks Albany city council did
it did one calling for a ceasefire in a
few months and you all won't budge we
know what resistance to genocide looks
like we are finally learning what true
diverse Coalition building and Community
looks like through this movement for
Liberation skc's pretty prettily painted
walls are still walls not Bridges
without working against Injustice for
all we know we know we need ceasefire
resolutions at all government levels and
divestment but our elected officials
like yourself our Representatives will
not listen we are being brutalized on
our campuses in the streets deny job
opportunities and face hatred because we
speak out but we persist because
Palestinians are being indiscriminately
bombed every day because Palestinian
mothers celebrated Mother's Day Without
adequate pre- and post-natal care with
Starving Children and with dead children
we still find the courage to stand up in
the face of indifference apathy Pro
genocidal bodies like this one
[Music]
because because Palestinians are losing
limbs without anesthesia because
Palestinians are in actual recorded
concentration camps with conditions so
horrible it made me physically ill to
read which begs the question do you not
see what we see we sit here and endure
apathy and abuse at City Council
meetings in our universities because
there are no more universities in Gaza
because six-year-old Hinn died alone
amongst her family's corpses because the
Israeli occupation forces that our
government funds killed the aid workers
who went to go save her I will stand
here and I will shame elected leader
leaders until there is a ceasefire
resolution passed through this body
until there's an end to an occupation of
Palestine until Gaza is no longer an
open air prison and Palestine goes back
to being the land of olive trees and
citrus fruit stewarded by the indigenous
people of the land instead of a land of
bombs and destruction a corruption that
can only be caused by Colonial occupiers
this is not the time for apathy it is
the time for Education especially from a
body like this in a city as diverse as
ours the body has stood against
oppressive violence at home keep that
energy up for the same oppressive
violence abroad forever and for always
free Palestine thank you
valer Valerie Triano Valerie
[Applause]
[Music]
Triano good evening mayor McCarthy and
City Council Members I am here tonight
standing in solidarity with Palestinians
and in support
of a call for a permanent ceasefire and
an end to the Israeli
occupation of
his of historic Palestine I feel I feel
guilt ridden knowing I have Palestinians
blood on my hands from my federal New
York and skincity
taxes that I've been funding the ethnic
cleansing and genocide of Palestinians
an estimate of
9627 962 074 of concy taxes funds
Israel's weapons why are our local taxes
funding weapons for a foreign country
what I'd much rather see my scy taxes
fund fixing our infrastructures concy
County Libraries education and helping
the homeless on our
[Applause]
streets never again means never again
for all of humanity I have hope we'll
see a free Palestine as there's Global
solidarity with Palestine speaking out
against the ethnic cleansing and
genocide of Palestinians being a cause
of unity with folks of different
religion race class gender and ethnicity
coming together it's important to ask
yourself when your children
grandchildren and great grandchildren
ask what did you do during the
Palestinian genocide what you do now is
your answer to them these last 219 days
have been absolutely horrifying
witnessing the suffering and death
Palestinians this isn't a Judaism versus
Islam conflict either as the Israeli
military have also been killing
Christian and Jewish Palestinians as
well Rafa is being heavily bom bombarded
by Israel which is filled with refugee
camps of Goins from the Israeli military
forcing gazin out of Gaza and into Rafa
stating Rafa would be a safe Zone this
to me is a clear Act of e ethnic
cleansing and genocide as Israel knows
Rafa is filled with refugees and
civilians to conclude I'd like to remind
everyone we are all human beings who bed
who believe the
same and who deserve basic human rights
decency respect love and to feel safe
thank you for your time to listen to my
words thank
you Tracy Collins Tracy Collins
good evening mayor city council and name
is Tracy Collins I live on the corner of
queen filam and kings Road since the
last time here my property was destroyed
again for the eighth time we are now in
tens of thousands of
dollars sometimes people don't have
insurance money comes out of my pocket
I'm tired of this I'm here to beg you
I'm here to plead with you to do
something about King's Road
enough is enough slow to speeding down
city clerk just made a comment that
somebody put in that wants a speed speed
hump and a stop sign on Becker Street has several stop signs and
several traffic lights we only have one
traffic light when is enough going to be
enough please step up and do something
my family's life is in danger all I'm
asking you folks to do is do the damn
right thing we're not going to live like
this anymore please bring your kids to
our house play in our yard you won't you
won't do it I guarantee mayor Mr Toro I
thank you for coming to our home several
times we appreciate
it how how how do you feel about living
in your house we don't feel safe in our
house so I'm again I'm here to ask you
one last time do something about this
road mayor I ask you I asked your
ministration three weeks ago coming up
from uh Route Seven Up ofne Street on
the Kings Road there's no sign there to
tell people the bridge is closed until
you turn on to King's Road cars are
flying up King's Road going down to the
bridge whing the hell out of there
somebody's going to get seriously hurt
on this road so again I'm here to ask
you nicely please do something about
this road thank you and have a good
[Applause]
evening FAA Isa
[Applause]
good evening honorable mayor Madame
President and members of the council
thank you for listening to us as we
returned for the fourth time to City
Hall in support of a ceasefire
resolution today I will not speak at
length of the targeting of innocent
civilians in Gaza and how the Israeli
Army
uses Precision guided drones to kill
Palestinian children children who are
playing with their friends in the
streets on the beach or in a field
instead I would like to use my time to
thank all those people of conscience who
have spoken up in support of justice for
the Palestinian people in particular I
would like to thank those
Among Us who practice
Judaism a religion which is not in any
way condone
Zionism they deserve to be singled out
for thanks because they are people who
continue to fight for justice in spite
of the criticism and condemnation they
receive from their own communities
[Applause]
I am in a of them because for me they
are living examples of a verse from the
Quran which states oh you who have
believed be persistently standing firm
in Justice Witnesses for Allah even if
it be against yourselves or parents or
relatives whether one is Rich or poor
Allah is more worthy of of both so
follow not personal
inclination lest you not be just and if
you Dort your testimony or refuse to
give it then indeed Allah is ever with
what you do
[Applause]
acquainted in response to those who have
stated that pushing for a ceasefire
resolution is causing Division and hat
in our community I quote the American
historian Howard Zin who said they will
say we're disturbing the peace but there
is no peace what really bothers them is
that we are disturbing the
war in closing I relate advice from
Prophet Muhammad May the peace and
blessings of God be upon him
help your brother whether he is an
oppressor or he is an oppressed one the
people asked oh God's Apostle it is all
right to help him if he's oppressed but
how should we help him if he is an
oppressor the prophet said by preventing
him from oppressing others
[Applause]
may be may we be of those who call out
oppression when we see it and thereby
help the oppressor because the opposite
of war is not peace it is Justice thank
[Applause]
you well
haana will haana
[Applause]
I would say shalom also in
Jewish we are brothers with everyone in
the world unless this person treat us
unjustly then he is not our brother
anymore so so we
recognize all Muslims or Jews or
Christians all of them who are united
together for Humanity we don't come to
anybody who is Against Humanity I came
to to uh connected in
1975 I think before most of them before
most of you were
born 1975 I came and I I love the city
and I know a lot of people in the city
and the mayor he honored our school he
came and visited us once um I am very
pleased to be here but I'm not going to
repeat everything they said all what
they said is genuine and correct and I
think all of you know that it is correct
[Applause]
thank you very much thank you thank
[Applause]
you Elizabeth
[Applause]
zadon I would like to start with the
greetings as my husband said salamu
alaykum wish is peace
and I will say shalom as well because my
religion taught me to respect all
religions to respect
everybody where on Earth did it
go I wrote something and it meant to be
not to be read because I wanted to say
from my heart and I know what it comes
from the heart is going to go into the
heart of every single one of you here
because all of us here we are
humans what you have inside your body is
the same color as of mine as the ones
Ina I am originally a Palestinian but I
was deprived to visit Palestine except
once in my life and the reason that I
was privileged to get into my ancestors
land my parents land is because I got
the US passport in my hand
I was born in
Kuwait I immigrated to this land by my
parents as a choice I chose this land to
become a US
citizen and I wanted my kids to have an
equal life as everybody in the
world but I never thought my US
citizen by obeying the law and the order
by following the law by paying taxes is
going to kill my family back in
Palestine I just can't live with that
I'm a mother I'm an educator I just
cannot see children have a school year
without a school without a parent
without a school bag or a
lunchbox I cannot enjoy the new year
because there is nothing
promising there's nothing promising
knowing that my tax money is going to
continue funding genocides in
Palestine
please Palestine is a beautiful land
it's a blessed land it's known in all
the holy lands okay and all the
religions is the land of
everyone it does not give superity over
one religion or a group M please let's
enjoy it to all of us I want all of you
guys to come and enjoy
Palestine but until then you're going to
have to go to
sleep and you're going to sleep with
your
conscience knowing that there are
children are dying and they are starving
knowing that they are mothers like me
and you I see that half of the staff
here is
women and the rest you have mothers and
you have wives so you know what it means
please remember you are going to be
changing the history with your decision
stop the
[Applause]
genocide mamad dahalia
[Applause]
my name is Muhammad D I'm a Palestinian
American I was born and raised in
America but I've always had my
connection to my homeland because I know
where my parents are from where my
grandparents are
from and the fact that I can't go back
to my homeland because of an
imperialistic colonis genocidal State
and the fact that I come over here to
the the land of the free the Land of the
brave but it's full of cowards and
people who
protect
genocide and who protect prisons prisons
all over our country prisons all over
other people's countries and the fact
that I'm in this city the city that I
spent majority of my life in and I come
to the city hall that I know of that it
was like 2 years ago 3 years ago when we
were talking about Ukraine and it was a
big Trend you guys would all have little
Ukrainian pins on your guys' shirts and
what's it call apples and stuff but
nobody here has a CFA or a Palestinian
pin or anything cuz there's no support
from you guys and it's so easy for you
guys to give us support to show a little
bit of support and the fact that we do
not see that already shows us where you
guys stand we want you guys to be voting
for a ceasefire for more than a
ceasefire cuz that's not where it should
be ending it should supposed to be
freedom for
Palestine Freedom for Gaza freedom for
the West Bank Freedom for all oppressed
countries in the world and it is an
American city and an American state and
an American country that has to be in
charge of that because we're the ones
that imprisoned them we're the ones that
helped imprison them even when they were
not going to be it is our
concern a 100 cities said they they put
out a SE Fire for free Palestine we need
to make it 101 we need to make SK proud
of itself do you know what the average
person outside this city hall call skty
they call it City shitti that's
what they call it because they're not
proud of the city they live in but you
guys can make skincity proud because
this average skan is is for a ceasefire
is for a pre free Palestine majority of
skty is for that cuz they have morality
they have hearts and they understand
that these people are being oppressed
the same way we have people oppressed
here in America and they can't stand for
that so why are we standing for that
anymore by paying tax dollars to people
who are not willing to change or willing
to show any type of Bravery for the
oppressed when we are able to go from
town to town to uh City to City to state okay some people fly to
countries just to protest just to show
help to show solidarity and here in our
own City we can't do that I just want to
end with the fact that you guys are here
now and soon if you if we do not see any
changes people will vote for people who
will want changes who will put in
changes okay you you guys know the walls
have been plastered things the the news
has been shown you guys know like there
you don't need to do anything because
you guys already know what's going on in
Palestine okay nothing we're going to
say is going to say anything new to you
the question is are you guys planning on
staying in those seats forever or are
you guys do you guys want to do you guys
want to leave as soon as possible
because that's what the votes are
happening you've got every city in in
the capital region coming here to tell
you guys that you guys need to change
and we're going to also tell you guys
that at the polls if we see anything
different
Miriam
[Applause]
hanana Alum uh you do not know me but I
am a senior in high school and I am
currently 14 years old I am very eager
to graduate but I'm also very grateful
that I am not eager to survive the next
bomb I am grateful that I am not living
in rubble
and surrounded by deceased family
members and Friends it is utterly
disgusting that me and my peers are able
to go to school every single day with
the main worry of homework and
graduating but my sisters and brothers
in Palestine are unable to go to
elementary school because of the
constant bombing raids shootings and the
fear that in the next hour their body
will be lost among the Rebel
unrecognizable to their only family and
friends it is shameful and
sickening it is shameful and sickening
that these past weeks has been been the
media circul circulating around a
goddamn fashion show with these
millionaires I'm going to ask people to
please let me excuse you can please uh
the profanity has got to stop please
that for everyone that's going to come
to this Podium we've been respectful
we've allowed you to come but you need
to respect our chamber as well thank you
okay go right
ahead
um it is shame it is sad that these past
weeks has been the media circulating
around a fashion show with these
Millionaires and billionaires that spend
more money on shoes than the amount of
standing buildings left in Palestine
currently the fact that I can go
anywhere on social media and find and
continue finding influencers with a high
amount of followers and just having a
high pedestal in the world of media and
they continue to stay in their selfish
Ways by supporting such um
corporations such as Starbucks and
McDonald's due to either being
uneducated or due to being ignorant
it is disrespectful to not only
Palestinians but also themselves it
shows when you put no effort in making
decisions it shows when you stick to
your own selfish wants instead of the
needs of the people in Gaza and Rafa it
is necessary to understand that the
majority in America show their
undeniable support and anguish towards
Palestinian pain and
suffering I hope that you can make the
right decision thank you
[Applause]
Amna
[Applause]
dahalia um I will Overlook introductions
since this day is not about me it's not
about you it's about
Palestinians um I wrote a little
something um just a little bit of poetry
a little bit of spoken word in 3 minutes
or less in 3 minutes or less please
explain why the city of skinc should
approve a ceasefire resolution in
Palestine in 3 minutes or less please
explain why the wholesale Slaughter of
Palestinians is wrong in 3 minutes or
less please describe how 75 plus years
of occupation and apartheid have now led
to nearly 40,000 deaths and over 6
months of war in 3 minutes or less
please describe what it is like to live
in between checkpoint to checkpoint in a
country that your great great
grandparents were born in in 3 minutes
or less please explain why any form of
resistance from peaceful to Armed to
Artistic is condemned and stamped out so
that any level of sympathy for your
condition is buried in 3 minutes or less
please explain what it is like to know
to call your home your home is a crime
in 3 minutes or less please explain why
your people have have to be forcibly
displaced to atone for the sins of
Europeans and their racist ideologies
that follow us into this day in 3
minutes or less please convince us of
your Humanity in 3 minutes or less
please pretend that any level of Human
Rights extends to Palestinians in 3
minutes or less please justify Western
imperialism without calling it Western
imperialism in 3 minutes or less please
give context for the military industrial
machine to wreak its havoc in Gazza the
same way it did in Afghanistan the same
way it did in Iraq and the same way it
did in Vietnam in 3 minutes or less
please explain rage grief resistance
anti-Semitism Revolution islamophobia
hope faith Freedom intersectionality
environmentalism acceptance tolerance
equality and exchange in 3 minutes or
less please remind us how absurd it is
that you are only given 3 minutes or
less your timing is important we we
cannot inconvenience the system that was
created to ensure our obedience and our
silence please keep your words to a
minimum because we don't actually want
to hear them remember we only have 3
minutes or less but please do forget the
images of a father carrying his
children's limbs in plastic bags of a
boy cleaning up his mother's remains of
universities and hospitals bombed into
Rubble of entire lifetimes buried
beneath the ground of whole families
wiped out of existence in 3 minutes or
less please maintain your decorum and
respectability in a time that is the
most undeserving of it in 3 minutes or
less please describe what it is like to
be Palestinian knowing that there are no
words too big to fit your pride and your
pain in 3 minutes or less please give us
what little remains of your strength so
that we can discard it as we have
already done and we have already done
with our Morality In 3 Minutes
Le I can end it by telling you to keep
your pity and your false sympathy that
regardless of whatever decision is made
by a corrupt government living on Stolen
land built off of stolen labor we will
live to see every nation free from The
River To The Sea Palestine will be
[Applause]
free so shakima
so today I'm choosing to raise my voice
on behalf of those who lost their voices
and those who lost their lives let it be
known that we are officially asking you
to bring this resolution to the floor
and show us where you stand but before
we do that I want to tell you this this
is Unity right here you're talking about
gender age whatever you talk about sex
religion I am telling you I am an
Interfaith leader and I'll tell you this
Isis hijacked Islam and Zionism is
hijacking
Judaism that
is and I'm going to tell you where
division stands there is always division
there is the right and the wrong there
is the oppressed and the
oppressor there are those who are on the
right side of history and there are
those who are on the wrong side of
history there are those who Stand United
in front of you and there are those who
are the cowards behind the screen typing
those emails and sending them to you
there are those who are standing behind
the screens and there are those who are
standing in front of the camera there's
a division between us today who are
standing and sitting here and you guys
and I'll tell you where the division is
we are speaking you're listening but
tomorrow we want it to be known are you
going to be standing with us on the
right side of history or you are you
going to maintain this Division and I'm
going to tell you this as we plan for
today as Muslims we say this I plan and
you plan and God has the best of plans
from the the prayer that actually was
shared with us God has put um what's her
name uh Amanda Thompson I believe and
she prayed for Gaza whether you liked it
or not a teacher stood here being
recognized and she prayed for Palestine
and you passing these resolutions this
hypocrisy
I'll tell you this I'm a father I can
preach to my kids day in and day out do
you know what they learn from from my
actions you know what's the worst thing
I can do for my kids is I tell them do
as I say and do not do as I do so I'm
asking you are you going to keep passing
those resolutions taking those nice
pictures or are you going to stand on
the right side of history as it was
mentioned before the history is being
recorded and I'm telling you this you
cannot recognize as a teacher while you
are indifferent to those teachers who
are being killed in
Palestine you
cannot you cannot bring somebody to the
City Hall to pray to God and you know
Jesus and God will ask you and say where
did you stand you cannot ask for bravery
and you're carding behind a desk and
sitting as you're rumbling and worried
that do I have to vote Yes you do have
to vote whether you're like it or not
and today all of us are standing here
today saying we're tired we did extend
that invitation to people who claim to
be for peace they refus to join us hand
in hand we extended that we spoke to
some of you guys and some of you refused
to speak to us but you went to the
newspaper because you want to sound like
you are making a statement but that is
the most coward thing that anyone can do
so I'm telling you we're whole
collectively standing here today asking
you to bring that resolution to to the
floor and we will vote just like you
will vote I promise that and for those
who told you I conclude with this who
told you don't worry about these people
that will be gone we're here we're
larger in number we're more diverse and
we're even
louder har Haron SAR Haron
respected council members my name is
Haron Sarver I represent Masjid ass
Salam religious non for-profit
organization in the down trodon area of
Albany uh some of my colleagues are
joined here where we asked for ceasefire
resolution in Albany which was passed uh
you can say with the majority of the
people today we're asking for something
similar asking for ceasefire I think is
probably the most humbling thing
somebody can ask for an end to violence
is not something which should be just
let gone why do we recognize the
violence that occurred in Ukraine but we
failed to recognize this I worked at the
Office of the State Controller until a
few months ago and as soon as the war in
Ukraine started there was a flag outside
the building for Ukraine and how come is
it that they blatantly fly the the
Israeli flag at the beginning of the
conflict and nobody asks for the voice
of the palestin Ians we have done
everything which is possible we have
protested in front of the Albany Capital
we have we have done anything and
everything our kids are suffering from
depression asking for something a
ceasefire although it's symbolic it
makes people feel it makes kids feel
that they did something right it's a
gesture it's not something which is
going to maybe have a profound effect
but at least for the people of the
residents of this connecti and the
Capital District it gives some sort of
comfort to their heart that they did
something something that they could
possibly do peacefully so once again
it's not something very difficult please
stand on the right side of the history
be recorded in the books as you did
something for peace we're not asking for
violence we're asking for a ceasefire
thank you so
[Applause]
much Frank Wix Frank wix
[Applause]
okay Frank Wix uh just comment on a
prior one says the uh Isis has hijacked
uh Islam Zionism has hijacked Judaism
and they'd say the political right wing
and others in this country the ISA know
the is Lobby is uh hijack the American
[Applause]
democracy it's a it's good that this
meeting of the city council starts by
recognizing the people and teachers and
volunteers it makes concy a better place
and everyone should be appreciated for
being here tonight we can Envy someone
with a good luck of winning a billion
dollars in power ball
but everyone in this room is even
luckier by living in this connected
rather than in
Gaza we can be silent or we can do what
we can to stop
it my decision to start doing what I can
happened in early March when I saw a
palestinia child missing two legs and an
arm uh with an American Warhead
delivered by
Israelis I don't believe the lie that uh
this is necessary for Israel to defend
itself as part of Israel's 76e plan to
either kill or
displace every every Palestinian and
they're now in the endgame final
solution and it's really up to good
people to stop it or not to stop it
uh at that point I I came to the first
meeting with my Jewish friend uh lar and
my musl own friend
Muhammad and uh we we suggested the
seats for fire resolution a pretty
minimal thing to do approve of the C
fire is the right thing to do you can
put Cony on the right side of History I
thank you
[Applause]
the first name is Ibrahim and the last
name starts with
[Applause]
s Salam alikum everyone uh peace and
blessings upon you all uh thank you very
much for having
me my name is Ibrahim Safir I'm a
capital region res uh resident and I'm
here to demand a call for
ceasefire and I wanted to start with a
question and it's a very simple question why not call for ceasefire when
after 35,000 Plus have been massacred
and many more are missing under Rubble
as we speak out there's ongoing
bombardment of Palestinians and who
knows how many children innocent men and
women have been killed since
now over this past weekend my friends
graduated um and I was able to talk to
my mom as it was Mother's Day uh Happy
Mother's Day to all the mothers here um
that that awesome feeling that had was
quickly soiled when I chck toos it to
Palestine to people in Gaza to people in
Raa there are zero universities left
there's no one graduating instead there
are entire populations being starved and
denied the most basic of Human Rights
there's lives being cut short and entire
lineages being eradicated off the face
of the Earth so I ask you is this what
we stand for in support As
Americans is this why we go to work and
pay taxes so that we can fund something
like
this the body's being piled up in pieces
under the rubble again my first question
why not call for
ceasefire what is so complicated about
calling for an end to massacres the
return of hostages an end of starving
and an end of
killing what is so hard about that
someone earlier said it is not a it's
someone said it's more of a you win you
lose but it's not
what is so you win you lose when
everyone can be safe when everyone has a
right to life liberty and the pursuit of
happiness this is what we were taught to
believe uh As Americans that's what I
was taught to believe as an American in
this country I'll tell you what is
divisive though occupation is
[Applause]
divisive apartheid is divisive
[Applause]
settler colonialism is
[Applause]
divisive and forcing Palestinians to be
eradicated and suffer in silence and
asking us the rest of us the people of
Consciousness the people of humanity to
look the other way that's
[Applause]
divisive I I asked you all before what
is so difficult but the truth is is this
not a difficult decision nor is it
complicated take a look at the people
behind me see all of our wonderful
diversity we're a coalition of folks
from all walks of life Shades and colors
and we're growing day by day as this
conflict is Raging on the dust is
starting to settle and sides are being
taken so I ask you all what side are you
on are you on the side of humanity or
Justice or are you on the opposite of
that and what Legacy would you like to
leave the lady before she said she
wanted to bring peace give wisdom to the
leaders and free them of their Ambitions
to replace the hatred and eliminate the
violence and War prayer is awesome
thought is awesome that is something
that we on this line can do but you all
have the ability and now you have the
responsibility and it is incumbent upon
all of you to use that responsibility to
use the power that you have been given
by these people you have been elected by
the the people you've been selected by
the people and if you do not exercise
that right in a just manner you will be
replaced by the people so I urge
you I urge you all to do the Humane
thing and to do the right thing to do
the just thing and to call for ceasefire
thank you all very much thank
you Peter Peter looker Peter looker
[Applause]
[Music]
thank you um for your
time as a city taxpayer this won't cost
us
anything and for you to vote tonight for
peace but it will save billions
nationally we need to ceasefire
now Jesus of your prayer would want you
to act now
I pray you follow his
teachings yesterday was the
154th anniversary of Julia wardh house
proclamation of Mother's Day of Peace
which said arise women of the day arise
women who have a
heart we women of one country will be
tender to those of another country
disarm disarm the sword of murder is not
the balance of Justice that's sounds
like a call for ceasefire by this wise
moral mother of Mother's
Day last
week Egypt cutter negotiated to cease
fire hostage release but Netanyahu
refuses to cease fire and exchange
hostages despite cries from all those
hostage family
members if you care about the hostages
support a ceasefire now if you care
about innocent Gaza babies and children
vote and cease fire now netanyahu's Army
kills over 70 innocent Palestinian
babies and children in Gaza every
day yes 70 innocent babies and children
every
day silence is complicity with
genocide please vote and cease fire now
tonight
[Applause]
John Romano John
Romano good evening everybody my name is
John romano and I want to connect the
dots for you on why it's so important
what happens overseas in Palestine can
help influence what happens here in New
York and
connecti um
so I actually share my story a lot with
law enforcements and people around the
country because people right here in our
hometown know who I am or what I've done
when I was 16 years old I went into
Columbia High School and e screen Bush
New York with a 12 gate shotgun I
committed a horrible Act of tragedy and
I tell you one of the influences that
had on me was the constant seeing of
Bloodshed around me now that doesn't
justify what I did what I did was
horrible but I thought that the world
had no real meaning or purpose because
all I saw was chaos and hatred and that
to me made me feel like there's no point
there's no reason for going on and I
hated what I became because I became the
monster that I was once afraid of and
I'm telling you that when people
especially these kids who are watching
on a day-to-day basis videos of bombings
and killings and genocide they are
influenced by that here in skincity here
in New York and if you think you're not
you're very misin formed so please you
asked us earlier with your voice to stop
the you stop swearing stop the cursing
we're asking you to use your voice and
say stop the bombing that's
[Applause]
all Ron Sano Ron
Sorano Lisa Sorano
Joseph
[Applause]
Layman hi my name is Joseph lhan and I'm
a resident of SKC County and I wanted to
advocate for a ceasefire for
Palestine I go out in the corner in my
neighborhood and I stand out with a
freedom for Palestine sign and I met
with disrespect middle fingers and just
blatant disrespect and it just
it upsets me that I have to go out there
and deal with this blatant disrespect
from people who are uninformed on this
conflict and to see politicians just
promote this ignorance among the
American people and Thrive off of
[Applause]
it and to see people with bigger voices
than me not do anything when I have to
use my minuscule voice to try and get a
message across cross and just see
blatant corruption in the government and
nobody doing anything about it I just
want to see Justice and peace and it's not rocket science 1,200 people
dead is wrong right but 10,000 people
dead isn't wrong 20,000 30,000 40,000
50,000 people dead isn't wrong it's not
rocket science it's
not all we're asking for is peace
we're not asking for anything
extravagant we're asking for a means of
speaking we're asking for a means of
representation for the Palestinians
we're asking for a negotiation a means
to exchange prisoners hostages
everything that Israel claims to want
but rejects every time they're offered
that that's all we want so we'd like to
ask that you use your voice for us on
account of us having to be brave for you
and join us in our bravery freedom from
Palestine please support a ceasefire
thank
[Applause]
you he Heather
Beno
Heather okay Rod
Hubert Mark
micheller no
all right is is there anyone who sent in
a request to speak whose name I didn't
read I believe we captured all the
online ones but I want to make sure
there was no one that sent an online
request and did not get their name
called in that case I have no one else
signed up to speak so I declare the
public comment of City business
closed at this time any miscellaneous
business of the council
mayor so I um want to thank everyone for
coming out tonight and um we heard you
we've been listening and hearing I can't
make any promises I could just I mean I
could repeat the same thing I've said
over and over but you've heard it before
so appreciate you coming and certainly
we've heard your voice
and well just you know those who will
just take into consideration I really
you know we've talked about us different
resolutions but we have not considered
the one that you've brought forward I
will I will say that so I'm sorry excuse
me excuse me excuse me it is my time to
speak I did not interrupt you this is
not a back and forth you were allowed to
speak you spoke and now I'm making my
comments and I appreciate that respect
from
you no sir there's no question answer
but I will speak with you after the
meeting if you like thank you
so uh that is that is all I have to say
this evening and with that I'll
entertain a motion to
adjourn motion to adjourn move by Miss
Patrick second by Mr Williams all those
in favor I we are adjourned have a good
night
[Music]
[Applause]
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on her phone you in the blue what's your
name she's a lawyer she she's a lawyer
she's not on the council she's la
she was
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a
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a
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he
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