San Marcos City Council moves forward with possible ceasefire resolution

By Felicity Guajardo

News and Culture Director

Majority of the San Marcos City Council agreed to carry forward a possible resolution that would pass a ceasefire for Palestine and an arms embargo on Israel. This would be a symbolic resolution that would recognize Palestine as a sovereign nation.

Council Members Alyssa Garza and Amanda Rodriguez led the discussion of agenda item 16 and advocated for the resolution saying Palestinians deserve dignity and safety under both U.S. and international law. The next step forward is for council to consider the amendments to shape another resolution agenda item. Council Member Lorenzo Gonzalez said he would like to move forward but has 17 amendments he would like to make.

Council Member Saul Gonzales said he would like to carry forward, Council Member Matthew Mendoza said no to carry forward the resolution and Council Member Shane Scott was undecided.

The citizen comment portion lasted three hours with majority of the comments pertaining to the resolution and urging council to consider or pass the resolution; 68 citizen comments were scheduled.

Before this meeting, a letter addressed to Mayor Jane Hughson from Texas Sen. Donna Campbell expressed the state’s alliance with Israel and warned that state funding could be paused for the city if the resolution is passed.

Many locals and Texas State students spoke about the letter saying this was a form of intimidation.

Scott Cove, an organizer with Palestine Solidarity SMTX, says the council should exercise their right.

“It’s an attempt to suppress free speech. The city making a resolution, that’s an example of free speech, nothing else,” Cove said.

Residents who opposed the resolution did speak to council stressing that they don’t believe passing it is relevant to the city.

David Sergi, who is a local attorney, received backlash for posting on Facebook that Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) would be called to the meeting. He criticized the speakers that support the resolution saying no one is talking about the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

“Israel has a right to defend itself, and unfortunately as another speaker said who was kidnapped in 1969 by Palestinians, this has gone on for way too long,” Sergi said.

Another resident, Sassy Youngstrom, agreed and said local city council will have no impact on the conflict.

“Local city council has no impact on what transpires overseas, nor is the U.S. directly involved in the Gaza situation, “Youngstrom said. “However, since two council members seem very concerned, where was the concern when Hamas terrorized, killed, and took Israeli’s hostage on October 7^th, 2023?”

When council discussed about the resolution, Council Member Rodriguez said the resolution asks for the release of hostages and is against antisemitism.

Rodriguez also said that the resolution is a local issue because tax dollars are subsidizing the cost of the war.

“I’m not interested in being a politician who can only extend care within the geographical boundaries that I represent,” Rodriguez said. “I will never be that, because this isn’t an issue that feels political to me. This is a moral issue.”

On March 1, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a declaration to expedite $4 million dollars in military aid to Israel.

Council Member Garza said that the resolution falls in line with the way she and other city council members have responded to public needs in the past.

“I think this resolution is entirely consistent with how I’ve always shown up proactively, compassionately and rooted in real care for the city, even when it’s not in my lane, especially when it’s an emergency,” Garza said.

“I won’t apologize for fighting to protect local power and for asserting that this, that supporting this ceasefire resolution is one way we reclaim power.”

Garza and Rodriguez urged their colleagues to say yes in moving the resolution to the next step, however, Mayor Hughson voiced concern about how the resolution would have any affect on the conflict. Hughson was also concerned with why the resolution is only focused on peace in Palestine rather than peace for all countries who are at war, such as the Russia and Ukraine war.

Rodriguez said one of the reasons is because Israel has an international criminal case against them.

The next council meeting is scheduled for May 6. To view amendments of this resolution ahead of the next council meeting visit the City of San Marcos Messaging Board for updates.