Chicago mayor calls for ceasefire in Gaza ahead of city council vote

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has called for a ceasefire in Gaza ahead of an upcoming city council vote on the issue.

When asked if he supported a ceasefire resolution that had been introduced by a member of the city council, Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, he said, "I believe we're looking at 25,000 Palestinians that have been killed," he said, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune. "The killing has to stop. So, yes, we need a ceasefire."

The announcement comes after months of advocacy by local Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims, along with a multi-ethnic and religious coalition of progressive groups, pushing for Chicago to support a ceasefire.

"Our community is very happy that the mayor has come out publicly on the right side," Muhammad Sankari, a member and organiser with the US Palestinian Community Network, told The New Arab.

"We're not there yet, but the fact that the mayor has come out is important. What's equally important is we've been working in a black and brown coalition for Palestinians with Blacks and Latinx working in their own communities.

They've been making phone calls and visits," he said. "The mayor understands community power and pressure, which is what has gotten us here."

If Chicago's city council passes a ceasefire resolution, it would become the largest US city to make the move. With the mayor's support, it would be the largest US city to have the council and the mayor's support for a ceasefire. 

Earlier this month, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a ceasefire resolution. However, days later, it was denounced by Mayor London Breed.  

A date for a city council vote on a ceasefire resolution on Israel's war in Gaza is expected to be set soon. It could take place as early as next week.