Activist demands end to local ties with apartheid city

During a recent city council meeting, community member Laura Gonzalez delivered a passionate address urging the council to reconsider its engagement in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, which she described as offensive. Gonzalez, a long-time resident, criticized the council for what she perceives as a lack of genuine concern for marginalized communities, particularly people of color. She expressed frustration over the council's handling of local issues, claiming that their actions reflect a prioritization of \"white discomfort\" over justice for oppressed groups.

Gonzalez also condemned the council's financial support for international actions that she believes contribute to violence against innocent civilians, specifically referencing the situation in Palestine. She argued that local tax dollars are being used to fund actions that result in harm to children and communities abroad, which she finds unacceptable.

In addition to her critique of EDI performance, Gonzalez called for the termination of the city’s sister city relationship with Ramallah, citing concerns over the nonprofit status of the program and its implications for local taxation and accountability. She highlighted the proximity of a prison she described as a \"concentration camp\" to Ramallah, asserting that it is a site of human rights abuses.

The meeting concluded with Gonzalez's remarks, which emphasized the need for the council to prioritize justice over performative allyship. The council has yet to respond to her demands or address the issues raised during the public comment period.