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Residents press Champaign council to divest from Israel; council members urge civility
Summary
Dozens of residents used the Jan. 21 Champaign City Council public‑comment period to call for local divestment from Israel and for an explicit ceasefire statement, while other speakers defended Israel and council members emphasized free‑speech protections and civility. No formal divestment vote occurred.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Dozens of residents addressed the Champaign City Council on Jan. 21 urging the city to divest from companies tied to Israel and to adopt a stronger public stance demanding a ceasefire in Gaza; other speakers defended Israel’s actions and council members urged civility and reaffirmed free‑speech protections in council chambers.
Why it matters: Speakers said local investment and procurement decisions can signal the city’s stance and pressure corporations and governments; proponents asked the council to consider divestment or a formal ceasefire resolution, while opponents warned of security and historical context. The council did not take formal action on divestment during the meeting.
Speakers and positions
- Maya Novick (resident) opened a block of public comments by saying she was “here today to continue my 8 month quest to get this council to divest funds from the state of Israel,” and read a News‑Gazette column urging divestment and action. Novick urged the council to treat the issue as a municipal concern.
- Stuart Levy (resident) read from the same column and cited Amnesty International’s report, then urged local action consistent with international recommendations to stop private entities in their jurisdiction from supplying services that could contribute to international law violations.
- Barry Zhang (resident, UIUC student) told the council it should “divest from Israel” and argued local divestment would pressure larger change.
- Thomas Abuela (member, Champaign‑Urbana Muslim Action Committee) cited ongoing alleged violations of ceasefire terms and reported attacks in the West Bank and Gaza, asking the city to “vote on this” and publicly consider divestment measures.
- Daniel Fulder (Champaign‑Urbana resident) expressed support for continued consideration of divestment and said the ceasefire should not end the conversation.
Opposing comments
- Kenneth Bergman (resident) objected to calls for divestment, referenced hostages taken Oct. 7, and said he supported Israel’s right to defend itself.
Council response
Council members responded to the tone of some public comments. Council member Shannon said, “I just wanna repudiate the idea that an act by any one person should reflect on everyone else of that same, racial or ethnic origin. That is the definition of racism,” and called the sentiment wrong.
Deputy Mayor Kyles, Council member Beck and others thanked police staff and community volunteers and emphasized civility. The mayor and other council members reiterated that public comment rights are protected and that the chamber will preserve speakers’ right to petition the government while asking that comments be expressed civilly.
What the council did not do
No member moved a divestment ordinance or ceasefire resolution during the meeting; speakers asked the council to place divestment on a future agenda and to hold a public vote. The council instead proceeded with the scheduled consent and action items and later recessed into closed session to discuss pending litigation.
Background cited by commenters
Commenters referenced Amnesty International’s report “You feel like you’re a subhuman: Israel’s actions against Palestinians in Gaza” (cited by speakers) and described petitions and local business support for divestment; speakers said more than 1,700 local signatures and several dozen businesses had indicated support for some form of divestment action.
Next steps
Speakers asked the council to place divestment on a future agenda and to publicly vote. The Jan. 21 record shows only public comment on the subject; no formal council action on divestment or ceasefire was taken that night.
