Williams engaged in talks about possible Gaza ceasefire resolution in Schenectady

The ceasefire resolution ⁣advocates issued a statement on Sunday, clarifying that they would not be present at Tuesday’s meeting due to ongoing discussions with several city council members ​about ​the wording of a ceasefire resolution.

City Councilman Carl Williams has been actively participating in ⁢these discussions with the ceasefire⁢ advocates, exploring the possibility of a resolution.

“I’m ⁢part of these discussions and am working towards finding a suitable solution for our​ community,” Williams stated on Tuesday. “The discussions are still in progress.”

Williams has been in dialogue with community leaders on both sides of the debate, ​those in favor and those against a ceasefire resolution.

“There are still opportunities for compromise ​available to us at ​the ⁤moment,”⁣ he added.

In January, the Albany Common Council passed a resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire to end the ‌conflict between Israel and Palestine.

City ‌Council President Marion⁣ Porterfield, however, revealed after Tuesday’s council⁤ meeting that she has not been involved in discussions regarding a potential⁤ ceasefire resolution.

So ‍far, no potential ceasefire resolutions have been included on any council agenda this spring for discussion or a vote.

City Councilwoman Carmel Patrick has consistently stated her opposition to the council adopting a ⁣ceasefire resolution. She plans to request a discussion at the council’s June 3 committee meeting about a ‌resolution that⁣ would state that the council should not involve itself in ⁤international affairs.

“I ⁣believe we should first‌ discuss whether the council should even consider any sort of resolution that would involve us in any international matter, setting precedents for future discussions as well,”‍ Patrick stated on Wednesday. “There are numerous conflicts ‍around ‍the world and I strongly believe that it’s crucial for us as city council⁢ members to remember and understand our role in supporting our residents and setting ‍policy or‌ passing legislation that affects the quality of ⁣life⁣ issues that our residents care about here in Schenectady.”

The ceasefire advocates, including Imam Jamal Shah of the Schenectady ‍Islamic Center, Union College professor Dr. Sohaib Chekima and ⁤All of Us Executive Director Jamaica Miles, have stated that they will give the council time to work on a resolution.

“We continue our call for a Schenectady ceasefire resolution,” the statement read. “There are several city council members who have taken the initiative to work with us on the language of such a resolution, ‍dedicated to it being an honest representation of peace and life.”

The group is hopeful that a​ ceasefire resolution will be considered by the council at a committee level.

“The way it works is if a council member wants to put something on the agenda, if it’s relevant and makes sense, ‍then we’ll certainly put it on and then it ⁢ends up​ on for discussion,” Porterfield explained on Tuesday.

Pro-ceasefire advocates, ​as well as residents who opposed the resolution, attended four consecutive lengthy council meetings starting in March to express their views on the resolution during the public comment portion ⁣of each session.

City Councilman Damonni Farley, who was absent from ⁤Tuesday’s council meeting, did not respond to a ‌request ‍for comment Wednesday on his stance on a potential ceasefire ⁢resolution.

City Councilmembers⁤ John Mootooveren and Joseph Mancini stated on‍ Tuesday that they are not involved in discussions pertaining to a ceasefire resolution.

Mootooveren mentioned that he would review a ceasefire resolution if⁤ it⁢ is presented to ⁣the council.

“We have to see what it is first,” he said. “Some⁤ of us are not part of that discussion. At this point in time, ⁤we can’t commit to ⁢anything ‌without‌ seeing what they’re talking about.”

Mancini agreed that he would need ⁣to review any potential⁢ ceasefire resolution before making his decision.

“I’d like to see what‍ it looks like and see how all of the ⁣other members are feeling,” he ‌said on Tuesday. “It‍ would be great if we could all kind of come to an agreement on whether to take action or not. We’ll see what’s proposed and then have a conversation to see where we‍ go next.”

City Councilwoman Doreen Ditoro stated on Wednesday that she does not believe the city council should⁣ adopt a ceasefire resolution.

“It’s a world affair and it’s not⁣ something ‌that the Schenectady City Council should voice an opinion on,” ‌Ditoro said. “We ⁢all have our personal opinions, but‍ as far as ⁣the city council, I don’t think we need to move any resolution.”