Correspondence - #18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Flores, Dora From: Maria Zacarias Torres < Sent: Tuesday, March 5, 2024 2:11 PM To: eComment; Amezcua, Valerie; Lopez, Jessie; Phan, Thai; Vazquez, Benjamin; Bacerra, Phil; Hernandez, Johnathan; Penaloza, David Subject: Agenda Item #18 Consideration of Ceasefire Resolution Good afternoon, I am a resident of Ward 3, I live and work in Santa Ana with OC Social Services. I am also Parks and Recreation Commissioner. I am urging the council to Vote Yes on consideration of calling a ceasefire in Palestine. The events currently unfolding in Gaza are gravely concerning. The unprecedented military offensive against citizens of Gaza, as announced by the State of Israel, has already led to and will result in further large scale killing, harm and destruction. When I watch those events being reported by American media, I was immediately reminded of the family from Palestine whose children participated in the summer camp program when I worked for the city as a summer camp instructor. I ended up becoming friends with the family and follow them on social media. They would post pictures of their trips to Palestine and now the parents have to explain to their children what is happening. In a free world, no parent should have to tell their child that their lives matter. We have direct ties to what is happening in Palestine because of the numerous groups that have immigrated from these countries and currently call the USA their home. We owe them our solidarity and actions when their homelands are under attack. We owe those children a promise of a fairer world because that is what this country stands for. This is our moment to stand on the right side of history as a city. If you truly want to be there for all of our residents, you will vote Yes on Ceasefire in Gaza. In Solidarity, Maria Zacarias Torres UCI Social Ecology Class of 2021 Dual Eligibility Technician Ward 2 Parks and Recreation Commissioner