Dayton residents urge commission to adopt 'peace with Venezuela' resolution

A large group of Dayton residents used the Jan. 6 public‑comment period to ask the City Commission to adopt a resolution opposing U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

Speakers representing peace groups, neighborhood residents and political organizations described Dayton's history as a peace city and urged elected officials to take a public stand. "We have a chance to stand with the people of this community," Ben Williams said, asking the commission to "put serious consideration into the impact this conflict is about to have on our community." Alec Johnson, with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, urged immediate action: "Dayton is famously associated with peace ... so let us speak very clearly and loudly now."

Commenters framed their appeals in local terms, stressing the potential diversion of federal resources from housing, mental‑health services and other municipal needs. Fazilah Pasha and Ethan Vandenberg highlighted the local economic and social impacts of war spending and called for prioritizing investments at home.

Commissioners acknowledged the comments and said they would review the request. Commissioner Fairchild said she would look at the proposed resolution with colleagues, noting prior practice that the commission sometimes limits issuing informal city statements on international conflicts. Commissioner Joseph said the commission stands "firmly on the side of peace, dialogue and self‑determination," and that the commission would discuss procedural next steps.

No formal vote on a Venezuela resolution occurred at the meeting; commissioners said they would consider the matter and decide on any formal action at a future session.