Resolution to Join the Call for Ceasefire in Gaza

Recognizes the events unfolding in the Middle East region have caused tremendous tension and pain for many students across Chico State. In standing against violence and promoting peace, and in following up on the statement passed and released on October 20th of 2023 from the Government Affairs Committee, the representative voice of almost 14,000 students at Chico State, join the call for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

We stand firm in condemning the recent rise of Islamophobic and Antisemitic hate incidences and harassment, hate crimes, hate speech, doxing, and suppression of freedom of speech in universities across the United States.

Whereas, as of February 2, 2024, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 27,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 66,000 wounded in Gaza by the Israeli siege since the surprise attack by organization Hamas on October 7, 2023, that left an estimated 1,200 dead, and 200 hostages taken.₁ Additionally, over 266 people have been killed, and 3,365 have been wounded in the Occupied West Bank.

Whereas, 70% of the Palestinians killed in Gaza are women and children.₂

Whereas, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the U.N. Security Council that Gaza is at a breaking point and that the total collapse of the humanitarian support system is inevitable. He has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the name of humanity.

Whereas, on December 12, 2023, in the UN General Assembly, an overwhelming majority of 153 to 10 voted in favor of calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.₃

Whereas, on January 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice decreed that there is sufficient and plausible evidence to continue its investigation of Israel on charges of genocide against the Palestinian people.₄

Whereas, over 75% of universities and schools in the Gaza Strip have been completely destroyed or damaged₅, and according to the World Health Organization, there have been more than 600₆ attacks on the health system in the Palestinian Territories.

Be it resolved, that the AS Government Affairs Committee of Chico State support the following:

That, Chico K-12 schools, including Chico High and Pleasant Valley High, and other local K-12 schools condemn acts of hate and bigotry in the classroom towards students of color and students of faith and reinforce processes for students and teachers to report incidences of such. No student or teacher should be made to learn or teach in an unsafe environment.

That, Chico State leadership and the City of Chico officially join this call for an immediate ceasefire, an unwavering stance against genocide, and to prevent any additional loss of life. For Chico council members to advocate against rising instances of antisemitism, islamophobia, and all other acts of hate in the community. That Chico State and the wider community work together to be informed and educated on the history and atrocities experienced by the Palestinian and Israeli communities.

Be it further resolved, we continue to condemn the loss of innocent life; we remain unequivocally committed to promoting student’s right to freedom of speech, and right to a sense of safety and belonging on and off campus. Disagreement and discourse are a critical part of higher education. We, therefore, implore students to treat one another with dignity and respect during these difficult times. Government Affairs exists to promote our core values of Diversity, Service, Sustainability, and Wellness, including the act of advocacy, and encourage students to reach out to our office for information on getting involved and supporting one another.

^[1] https://www.ochaopt.org/conten...

^[2] https://apnews.com/article/wom...

^[3] https://news.un.org/en/story/2...

^[4] https://www.amnesty.org/en/lat....

^[5] https://www.savethechildren.or...

^[6] https://www.un.org/en

^[7] https://press.un.org/en/2023/s...