Press Release: Ceasefire Letter to Biden-Harris Administration and NC Congressional delegation
July 30, 2024
Contact:
Lela Ali, 252-955-9502, info@muslimwomenfor.org
Hadeel Hamoud, hadeel@muslimwomenfor.org
JVP: Steve Bader, 919-637-6949, badersteve@hotmail.com
ADVISORY: Press Conference
Raleigh, N.C. - Rep. Cervania (HD 41), Rep. Price (HD 50), and Rep Harrison (HD 61) will host a press conference on 07/31, July 31, 2024 at 9:00 AM with Muslim Women For and Jewish Voice for Peace - Triangle to discuss the open letter signed by over 45 elected officials urging Biden-Harris Administration and NC Congressional delegation for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
WHEN: 07/31, July 31, 2024 at 9:00 AM
WHERE: North Carolina General Assembly Press Room, 16 W. Jones St., Raleigh 27601
WHO:
Representative Maria Cervania (HD 41)
Steve Bader: Jewish Voice for Peace-Triangle member
Raleigh City Council Member, Christina Jones
Samira Haddad: NC Palestinian organizer and Muslim Women For volunteer
Representative Renee Price (HD 50)
PRESS RELEASE (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)
47 North Carolina elected officials sign open letter urging Biden-Harris Administration and NC Congressional delegation for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza
RALEIGH, NC (July 30, 2024) – 47 North Carolina elected officials have signed an open letter urging the Biden and Harris Administration and NC Congressional delegation to call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire. The letter was co-drafted by Muslim Women For, Jewish Voice for Peace - Triangle Chapter and NC Representatives Renee Price, Maria Cervania and Pricey Harrison in November 2023. In addition to an immediate, permanent ceasefire, the letter calls on federal officials to continue to work for the release of all hostages—the hostages held by Hamas and the Palestinians detained by the Israeli government and military—and to demonstrate compassion by extending Temporary Protected Status and authorizing Deferred Enforced Departure, so as to offer much-needed protection and stability for the Palestinian families currently residing in the United States.
The letter came after Muslim Women For and over 30 organizations based in North Carolina released an open letter to NC leaders on October 28, 2023 expressing sympathies for the loss of innocent Palestinian and Israeli lives and describing the dire reality of the situation in Gaza, the growing fear and hostility directed towards Muslim and Jewish individuals, and the importance of a ceasefire to save the thousands of lives in imminent danger.
Since then, the death toll in Gaza has more than tripled. At minimum, 38,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 14,000 children. UNICEF has declared Gaza the most dangerous place in the world for children. There are no universities left in Gaza. As of June 1, 2024, only one third of hospitals are functioning at all, with those remaining crippled by lack of fuel to run generators. Healthcare workers and humanitarian workers, including American citizens, have been trapped, detained, beaten, and killed by the Israeli military. This month, seven major U.S. labor unions representing 6 million workers sent a letter calling on the Biden administration to ”immediately halt all military aid to Israel.” On July 19, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel’s continued presence in occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful, is impeding on Palestinians’ right to self-determination, and should end “as rapidly as possible.”
A growing number of North Carolina elected officials are calling for a permanent ceasefire. Congresswoman Alma Adams was one of the first congressional reps to sign onto ceasefire Resolution 786, and thanks to tireless grassroots pressure led by JVP - Triangle Chapter, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee finally called for a ceasefire in early December. Carrboro, NC was one of the first municipalities in the country to issue a ceasefire resolution and was followed by a Durham City Council resolution in February 2024. City council meetings across the state, including Raleigh, Charlotte, and Greensboro have been packed with supporters demanding meaningful action for a permanent ceasefire.
Signatories of the open letter include 14 NC State Representatives, 2 NC State Senators, 18 city and town council members, 10 county commissioners, and 3 school board members. The letter emphasizes the loss of human life, cites numerous reports of grave war crimes, and overviews the overwhelming support for a permanent ceasefire from the American public, workers unions, and international community. The letter has been delivered to several members of the NC Congressional delegation including Congresswoman Deborah Ross, Congresswoman Foushee, Congressman Jeff Jackson, and Congressman Wiley Nickel.
Muslim Women For and Jewish Voice for Peace will continue to urge lawmakers to lean on the values of justice and compassion and call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza as the minimum first step to ensure safety for all people.
