CLEVELAND — Monday night’s Cleveland City Council meeting was vocal, passionate, and at times, disruptive as dozens of people showed up in support of Palestine.
Many in attendance held up signs with the names of children who died in Gaza and chanted “Free Palestine.” Others spoke out during a roughly 30 minute public comment period, demanding support for Palestine, and calling out Cleveland leaders who had expressed support for Israel.
The first speaker spoke in support of Israel, and those who followed spoke in support of Palestine.
“I’d like to thank those who have had the courage in these difficult times to speak the truth with integrity and courage and support the only democracy in the Middle East, the only free country, the only country that shares our values, the state of Israel in its fight against terrorism and propaganda,” said the first speaker. Behind him, people held up the names of children who died in Gaza as he spoke.
“I stand here to demand that Mayor Bibb and Cleveland City Council retract all statements made in support of the genocide committed by the state of Israel,” one Pro-Palestine speaker said. “Furthermore, I demand the council to publicly denounce the indiscriminate slaughter of Palestinians and call for a ceasefire.”
“Hiding under blatant ignorance makes you look like a follower, and last I checked, you were elected to be a leader, to direct yourself and others in a manner that will better society,” said another speaker in a message directed to Mayor Justin Bibb.
On Oct. 7, both Mayor Bibb and Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin posted on X (formerly Twitter) sending prayers for Israel.
There was also a resolution presented to council which called for Cleveland to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza and affirm support for those in Gaza.
After each speaker was applause, with demonstrators chanting in support of Palestine throughout the public comment section. After the public comment section had concluded, towards the end of the council meeting, the meeting was disrupted while demonstrators chanted. At one point, the message being chanted sounded like “Mayor Bibb, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.” The chanting lasted for roughly 10 minutes.
“Some of the rhetoric is very loaded and very bigoted. Some of the rhetoric was very very on point as far as their right to talk about how they feel that the Palestinian community was oppressed,” said Council President Blaine Griffin on Tuesday afternoon. “Once again, I have no problem with the positions that they took, the only problem that I have is that we have special rules of decorum and engagement that we expect not only their group, but any group that comes to represent their opinions at city council, that they need to follow.”
Griffin said chanting, holding up signs, and disrupting the meeting are against the rules. He said that while he understands the group’s frustration, the rules are in place to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe in expressing their opinions at city council.
He also expressed his disappointment that there were others who were signed up to speak on topics listed as Israel and civility during the meeting who ultimately did not speak.
“There are other groups that might have had opposing opinions that felt intimidated and are angry because they felt that they were not safe to come into this environment,” Griffin added. “That’s unacceptable.”
Griffin said he will be speaking with law enforcement officials and groups to make clear that everyone can express their opinions, so long as they’re following the rules.
“I want to make sure that I go on record that any civilian, any person, whether it’s a Palestinian civilian or whether it’s an Israel civilian that has died in this conflict, it’s a sad moment for all of us, and all of us across the world are feeling everybody’s pain,” he said. “But this thing where we’re being maligned and pushed into a position where everybody wants us to pick a side - all I care about is that we have freedom of speech, democracy, and that we conduct the business of council in a good and proper way.”
3News reached out to Mayor Justin Bibb’s office for any reaction to comments made at the meeting that he has been dismissive of the Palestinian struggle and that through his tweet, he has made it ok for people to be violent towards Muslims and Palestinians, but did not hear back.
Related Stories:
- 'It personalizes it': Greater Cleveland Jewish community continues to pray for release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas
- Israel-Hamas war brings faith leaders together in Cleveland Heights to pray for peace
- 'Lives in the Balance' | A poetic reflection on the Israel-Hamas war from 3News contributor Chris Webb