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Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics, the Obamas endorse Harris for President; A NY county creates facial recognition, privacy protections; Art breathes new life into pollution-ravaged MI community; 34 Years of the ADA.

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Harris meets with Israeli PM Netanyahu and calls for a ceasefire. MI Rep. Rashida Tlaib faces backlash for a protest during Netanyahu's speech. And VA Sen. Mark Warner advocates for student debt relief.

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There's a gap between how rural and urban folks feel about the economy, Colorado's 'Rural is Rad' aims to connect outdoor businesses, more than a dozen of Maine's infrastructure sites face repeated flooding, and chocolate chip cookies rock August.

Smaller governments find voice in Gaza ceasefire resolutions

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Thursday, February 1, 2024   

Dozens of U.S. municipalities have adopted resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Recent action by a smaller Minnesota city showed governments of all sizes sometimes feel the need to speak about controversial issues on the minds of locals.

The Israel-Hamas war is now four months old and has led to deep political divisions about how the conflict should be handled, especially with an ongoing humanitarian crisis playing out. The Hastings City Council recently approved a symbolic resolution expressing its support for a ceasefire, as well as more humanitarian aid from the U.S.

Jen Fox, a city council member in Hastings, said it is not just a topic for international governments or major cities to debate.

"Smaller cities and towns and townships all have power in voices as well," Fox contended. "It doesn't necessarily only have to come from the big populous cities."

The Hastings resolution came after a petition was submitted with more than 100 supporters, and Fox noted the council felt compelled to draft a resolution with residents demanding action.

Since the council vote, she added they still get feedback, including from those who disagreed with the move. Minneapolis is among other Minnesota cities to vote on a ceasefire resolution.

Fox stressed the Hastings City Council's action does not include a political stance and it is OK for smaller governments to occasionally step out of their comfort zone when necessary.

"Our responsibility is helping facilitate infrastructure and clean water and staying apolitical is often the argument," Fox emphasized. "I know my colleagues and I believe that calling for peace and acknowledging the harm that is happening is apolitical."

Other smaller cities around the U.S. have taken similar action, including Carborro, North Carolina, and Ypsilanti, Michigan.


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