I have witnessed the worst of humanity unfold before my eyes. Innocent lives lost, tens of thousands of Palestinians murdered, entire families erased from existence. Israeli occupation forces are indiscriminately killing Palestinian civilians - a reality that is as heartbreaking as it is unjust.

Houston, we pride ourselves on our empathy and solidarity with those who suffer across the globe. We stood with Ukraine in their time of need; now it's time for us to extend our support to the people of Palestine.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in a disturbing number of civilian casualties. According to a report by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Just between October 7th and November 10th there were 11,230 Palestinians killed, including nearly 5,000 children. These figures are not just statistics; they represent human lives lost amidst escalating violence.

58% of housing infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed. More than half of the education facilities in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. Gaza’s healthcare system has completely collapsed. There is a blockade preventing humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. 

We call upon Houston City Council to publicly support a ceasefire in Gaza and denounce the war crimes being committed by the Israeli government against Palestinians. By doing so, we can send a powerful message that Houston stands for justice and peace – values that should be upheld irrespective of borders or nationalities.

This isn't about politics; it's about humanity. It's about standing up against genocide and supporting peace over violence, justice over oppression.

Please sign this petition urging our city council members to take action now - because every life matters and silence in face of injustice only perpetuates more suffering.