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Minneapolis City Council supports ceasefire in Gaza
Nine members voted in favor of the resolution that would also put an end to U.S. military funding for Israel.
MINNEAPOLIS — As the Israel-Hamas war rages on, Israel is proposing a two month pause for the release of all the remaining hostages currently held by the Hamas terrorist group.
This as local governments in the United States continue to call for an end to the violence, including in Minneapolis.
On Tuesday, nine members voted to support a resolution that calls for a ceasefire, but also an end to U.S. military funding for Israel. It will likely get a final approval on Thursday.
The meeting was packed and some of the crowd was left to listen and watch from an overflow room. The decision drew both cheers and jeers on the issue the council is tackling at the start of the year.
“It’s a humanitarian crisis,” said longtime Councilor Andrea Jenkins, who voted in favor. “I believe, as human beings on the planet, we have to stand up against injustice whenever and wherever it is.”
She says dozens of other cities across the country have cast similar votes from Atlanta, Georgia to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
While this is largely a symbolic move, Jenkins says there was community outcry for a formal statement. The two councilors opposed, including LaTrisha Vetaw, call the conflict complicated and divisive.
“I don’t understand why they have to make it about the entire council when no one in the Middle East is watching to see what the Minneapolis City Council is doing,” said Vetaw.
She represents the city’s north side and says she’ll work to address the area’s own gun violence, fix potholes and snow removal — if and when it falls.
“I’m going to going to take this time to focus on the issues that face my ward,” said Vetaw.
One council member did abstain from voting. And there were several amendments made to the resolution. If the mayor vetoes it Thursday, it appears there are enough votes, at least from Tuesday’s meeting, that could override that — perhaps starting the new year off more contentious than collaborative.
“I’m doing my best to try and bring some level even-handedness and fairness to the process, but I’m only one person,” said Jenkins.
To read more about the resolution, click here.
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Last week, prosecutors charged John Sawchak with attempted 2nd-degree murder and other felony charges after he allegedly shot his neighbor Davis Moturi.
MINNEAPOLIS — Following the shooting between two neighbors, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to request that the city’s auditor conduct an independent investigation into the incidents and cases between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak.
Moturi was allegedly shot by his neighbor, Sawchak, on Wednesday, Oct. 23 but Minneapolis police did not arrest Sawchak until days later.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara defended not arresting Sawchak sooner, calling it a “high-risk” situation. O’Hara later said the victim, who had complained about harassment from Sawchak for months, was failed by police. Sawchak was arrested this past weekend after an hours-long standoff.
Moturi suffered a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion in the shooting. “Mr. Moturi’s life matters and I’m sorry that for nearly a year, MPD did not treat it like it did,” said Council Member Robin Wonsley in a news release, “Today’s vote affirms that the City Council is committed to taking meaningful actions towards accountability and restoration, starting with this independent review.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released this statement:
“Mayor Frey fully supports an independent review of this incident. The mayor and City are committed to always doing better, and this means closely examining past actions and finding where there may be ways to improve and grow. The mayor extends his condolences to Davis Moturi, his wife, Caroline, and their family and friends. The safety of our residents is a top priority and any form of violence or hate speech is completely unacceptable and does not align with who we are as a community. Brian O’Hara will continue to be the Minneapolis Police Chief.”
“This Valentine’s Day, 2025, will mark the five-year anniversary of the premiere of ‘Love is Blind,” Vanessa said on the Season 7 finale. “And, it is gonna be the launch of Season 8, which takes place in Minneapolis.”
The episode also revealed three of the new cast members, one of whom, “Alex,” told Lachey Minneapolis is “not like a major city, but it’s also not a small town,” which he said is just one of the obstacles in his way of finding the one.
“I just never found the right person that clicked for me,” he said.
Meantime, you can bone up on Seasons 1-7 streaming now on Netflix.
MINNEAPOLIS — How much do you know about your grandma’s upbringing?
“The Stories From My Grandmother’s Hands” is a book that aims to show young Black children how their grandmas lived through beautiful illustrations and descriptions.
KARE 11 News at Noon shared more on Thursday about the impact that this book will have.
