Multiple residents and local organizers used the City Council public-comment period Jan. 7 to urge the council to adopt a ceasefire/divestment resolution and to make an explicit statement opposing what they described as mass civilian harm in Gaza.

Why it matters: The comments touched off extended public testimony and prompted several council members to apologize for not previously speaking up when a constituent made an inflammatory public comment at an earlier meeting. Speakers asked the council to put a formally drafted ceasefire/divestment resolution to a public vote.

Isabelle Scott, a Champaign resident from Ward 5, urged the council to "put that ceasefire resolution to a vote" and said she would stop attending if the council rejected the measure. "If this council puts that ceasefire resolution to a vote and the vote is no, I will stop coming to talk to you guys about this," Scott said.

Several other speakers addressed human-rights reporting and policy. Karen Medina cited Amnesty International's December 2024 report and told the council the report "concludes that Israel's assault on Gaza constitutes genocide." She said U.S. policy and local government posture should be reconsidered in light of that reporting.

Maya Novick, who identified herself as a local resident and poet, read three poems about Palestine and asked the city to divest from Illinois funds that support Israel. Al Kagan, a member of UC Jews for Ceasefire, said his group was preparing a statement about the prior meeting and urged council action. Steven McGuire, who lives in Urbana and does business in Champaign, said the U.S. role in supporting Israel makes local actions meaningful and that local divestment efforts could be carried to higher levels of government.

Council members responded during council comment. Council member Shannon apologized for not speaking at the prior meeting: "I apologize for not having the presence of mind to say something. When we hear things that are hateful or even just ignorant that harm a group of people, it is our duty to speak up." Council member Pianfetti also offered an apology and thanked community leaders who had reached out to educate elected officials.

Several council members described taking time to reflect before commenting publicly so they could avoid inarticulate or hasty responses. Mayor Feynon and others noted there had been security concerns at the prior meeting and said staff and police coordinate to keep the chamber safe.

Speakers and council members asked the mayor and clerk to place the coalition-drafted ceasefire resolution on an upcoming agenda so the body can hold a formal vote and record its position publicly.