Worcester council votes to file petition calling for Gaza ceasefire after hours of public comment

The Worcester City Council voted 6-5 to file a citizen petition asking the city to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to urge enforcement of U.S. laws that could restrict weapons transfers. The vote came after more than three hours of public comment during which roughly 1,500 petition signers and dozens of residents urged conflicting outcomes.

Supporters said the measure — which asked the council to call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages and detainees, the unhindered resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and enforcement of U.S. laws such as the Leahy law and the Arms Export Control Act — would signal moral opposition to civilian deaths and press federal officials to act. Opponents argued the council lacked jurisdiction and warned the item would politicize a local legislative body.

The petition’s lead organizer, Patricia Kirkpatrick, told the council the City Hall display — eight dolls representing infants who recent commentators said froze to death — underscored the humanitarian stakes. "Silence during a US bankroll genocide is complicity," Kirkpatrick said during public comment,…