Nearly 200 people filled the chambers at Raleigh City Council for Tuesday night’s public comment meeting.
Of the first 26 speakers, one called for answers about arrests in Raleigh’s Moore Square, but the rest addressed calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
One woman questioned the methods of the crowd. Lisa Hughet expressed frustration that public comment for other issues has been limited for months as
calls for a ceasefire resolution have dominated the meeting
.
“It’s important to acknowledge the limitations of our city council, despite the genuine concerns voiced here, the reality is, the complexities of this conflict render it beyond their scope,” Hughet told council.
The 25 others though echoed the same message — they want Raleigh City Council to pass a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Israel and Gaza — a symbolic but ultimately meaningless gesture.
Many called out Councilmembers Corey Branch, Jonathan Melton, and Stormie Forte, along with Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, for not supporting that a ceasefire resolution be voted on at council.