The City of Chicago just became the biggest city in the US to demand #CeasefireNOW in Gaza. We're joined by Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez, Alderman of Thirty-third Ward for Chicago's City Council and the lead co-sponsor of Chicago's Ceasefire Bill aka the “Uniting for Peace” resolution. We're also joined by Chicago journalist, activist and Executive Editor at Chicago's In These Times magazine Ari Bloomekatz to help us learn about this victory, the multifaith, multi racial, teacher, labor, and student coalition who won this victory.

Shoshana Brown and Rafael Shimunov also touch on the How Many Stops Act in New York, and the veto attempt by Mayor Eric Adams that failed.

Alderwoman Rossana Rodríguez who has been winning battles for schools and affordable housing in the 33rd Ward of Chicago. She has championed Treatment Not Trauma (a model to respond to mental health crises with clinicians instead of cops). Rossana has secured funding for violence interrupters. Protection of abortion, gender affirming care, codifying Chicago as a sanctuary city for immigrants, and stands out as an independent voice in the city council. In fact, the sole no vote after Oct 7 when Chicago decided to voice support for Israel with no strings attached, and no solution for Palestinians.

Rossana is a mother, youth educator, and lifelong community activist. She is currently completing her Masters in Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University. Originally from Puerto Rico, she attended her first demonstration at the age of six, when her neighborhood of Mariana waged a successful battle for public access to drinking water.

Ari Bloomekatz is the Executive Editor at In These Times magazine. In These Times is dedicated to informing social, economic, and political movements for justice and a more humane world. Ari was previously the Managing Editor of Tikkun and Rethinking Schools magazines and spent several years as a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times. He is the board president of the podcast Unsettled, and he is also actively organizing with progressive Jewish groups for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the occupation and system of apartheid in Palestine/Israel.

Chicago's Ceasefire Victory

Host of Beyond The Pale on WBAI 99.5 FM New York

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