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-Editorial
The Calexico City Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, alongside an end to the blockade restricting critical humanitarian aid. Council members Javier Moreno and Camilo Garcia were absent from this meeting. Mayor Gloria Romo and Council-members Gilberto Manzanarez and Raul Urena were the three votes that passed this resolution.
This item was going to be discussed at the April 17 regular meeting but Councilman Moreno asked to be removed since this was not a municipal issue. However, Councilman Urena and Manzanarez asked to be discussed in a special meeting.
In the resolution, the council strongly condemned both the initial attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis and the taking of over 200 civilian hostages, as well as the retaliatory actions by the Netanyahu government that led to the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinian civilians, including 14,000 children.
The resolution emphasizes Calexico’s commitment to diversity, equality, and human rights, underlining these as core community values. The council highlighted reports from international bodies like Amnesty International and the United Nations, which have advocated for unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza to prevent further loss of life and adhere to international humanitarian law. It also addressed the rise in anti-Arab, anti-Muslim, and anti-Semitic bigotry and violence in the country, recognizing these issues as a threat to community safety and cohesion.
Furthermore, the resolution requested the City Clerk to distribute copies to local, state, and federal representatives, urging them to act swiftly on these pressing global issues.
But this meeting was not welcomed by some people as a group that called themselves “Citizens of Calexico” issued a notice to Councilmembers Ureña and Manzanarez, warning them to cease and desist from expending public funds in violation of Elections Code 11385. This notice comes in the wake of the Official Information about the Calexico City Council Recall Election, which was posted on the Official City Website on April 21, 2024.
According to the official statement, Ureña and Manzanarez stand accused of violating Elections Code 11385 during the Calexico City Council meeting held on April 17, 2024. The allegation stems from Ureña’s motion for a Special Meeting during the “Future Agenda Items” section of the council meeting, which citizens claim could lead to illegal expenditures of public funds.
The notice highlights the City Attorney’s error in allowing the scheduling of a special meeting, despite objections from the recalled parties.
“It underscores the City Manager’s investment of valuable resources to respond to the direction of the recalled councilmen, resulting in immediate staff commitment and costly implementation, ultimately leading to illegal expenditures of public funds,” the letter read.
The notice concludes with a warning that failure to cease and desist from further allowing the direction of Special Meetings that violate the law may result in immediate legal action by community members.
