Chicago’s City Council narrowly passed a resolution on Wednesday, urging a permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Mayor Brandon Johnson cast the tiebreaking vote in the symbolic declaration in the nation’s third-largest city. With the passage of this resolution, Chicago became the largest city in the U.S. and North America to call for an end to the conflict.
The decision is the culmination of weeks of tumult and disruptions from demonstrators in council chambers. Once again, the chambers had to be temporarily cleared on Wednesday due to the disorder.
The resolution, approved with a 24-23 vote, calls for a cease-fire and advocates for humanitarian aid and the release of all hostages. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was among the supporters present.
Chicago now joins other U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Detroit, and San Francisco, in approving non-binding resolutions addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict in recent months.
The conflict began with an attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties and the abduction of around 250 hostages. Subsequently, Israeli airstrikes have led to the death of over 26,000 Palestinians and the displacement of nearly 2 million individuals from their residences.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
