Advocates for a ceasefire resolution dig in at third straight Salt Lake City Council meeting 

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The Salt Lake City Council was again pressed to formally call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war on Tuesday, marking the third straight Council meeting in which public comment was largely dominated by a group of roughly 50 residents, who made similar requests at meetings on Jan. 9 and Dec. 12.

Several speakers pointed to the threat that Nassar Hospital—one of the only operating hospitals reportedly left operational in Gaza—is facing as Israel mounts attacks on Khan Younis, a southern city in the Gaza Strip.

“I want you to think about what will happen to you and your family if you have nowhere to go for health care,” Fran Lopez said. “I'm a child welfare worker for the state, and I'm doing my job. I'm advocating for child welfare. Are you doing your job?” Many speakers expressed outrage at the lack of action taken by the Council.

“I, too, am saddened and angered and exhausted and all the feelings by the lack of representation,” Cristina Perez-Christenson said, echoing sentiments from the night that Council members were not accurately representing the people who elected them.

A handful of commenters also took aim at a statement Council chairperson Victoria Petro made during a meeting on Dec. 12. Following requests for a ceasefire resolution at the meeting, Petro asked everyone to “remain curious about us,” and remember that council members are people as well as representatives.

“No, we're not going to be curious about what your silence looks like for you while entire histories of members of this community are being wiped out,” Coover Bingham told the Council.

It is not clear what effect a resolution from Salt Lake City would have, beyond the symbolic. And following these comments, Councilmember Chris Wharton took a moment of personal privilege to speak.

“I've read the articles and social media posts from people on the ground. As an elected official, it has forced me to ask myself about my role and how I can do the most good as a Salt Lake City Council member,” Wharton said. “My first duty by law is to ensure the safety of all Salt Lake City residents and that is my priority.”

Wharton expressed his concern with the rising number of Islamophobic and anti-Semitic hate crime reports and discussed Salt Lake City’s commitment to being a safe place for everyone, “regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, orientation, gender identity or expression.”

“So, to our Palestinian, Muslim and Jewish residents, especially those of you that are here in person, I want you to know that I hear you that I value you and that I will do everything in my ability to keep you safe in our city,” Wharton said.

Wharton then discussed how, as Utah’s legislative session starts, responding to legislative bills is at the forefront of his mind. Wharton extended an open invitation to anyone interested in speaking with him about the Council’s efforts.

As the Council moved on to their next agenda item, pro-Palestine chants started echoing through the council chamber. Petro promptly called for a 10-minute recess as the chants started and the council members exited the room.

Council Business
The Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance amending parts of the Salt Lake City budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Changes include $6 million in additional transportation impact fees for reconstruction projects on 2100 South in Sugar House and 600 North/700 North between Rose Park and Jordan Meadows. The budget amendment also funded a Legislative Division in the City Attorney’s Office with four full-time employees and added four full-time paramedic employees to the Fire Department’s Medical Response Team.

The Council also adopted a resolution asking that emergency medical personnel like paramedics and social workers be included in the Tier 2 Firefighter Utah Retirement System.