New Haven residents deliver emotional testimony on ceasefire resolution

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — There were hours of emotional testimony from New Haven residents Wednesday night over a potential ceasefire resolution.

This coming off the heels of numerous protests in the Elm City and residents said it’s at a boiling point.

“Since our original submission the death toll in Gaza has doubled,” said Chloe Miller, member of the group that submitted the resolution.

One by one residents spoke with over 300 people signed up to testify on a ceasefire resolution.

“I am for a ceasefire resolution,” said Tagan Engel, New Haven resident.

“Testify in opposition,” said Gayle Scholssberg with the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven.

Emotions ran high, “adds to the hate and division already at a boiling point,” said Scholssberg.

And so did tensions, “then this board is white supremacist itself,” said Gabriela De Jesus.

“Order ma’am we will not tolerate any type of disrespect,” responded Tyisha Walker-Myers, Board of Alders President.

The meeting, held nearly six months after the resolution was submitted, was held virtually to ensure safety and security as well as to obey fire code.

This following a similar discussion at a Hamden Council meeting that was flooded with interruptions and shouting during public comment.

People in favor of the resolution said it’s a call for peace and support of all races and to stop the war.

“Tens of thousands of Palestinians are being killed in the name of safety of my people, and I reject this,” said Engel.

“What level of death and destruction will be enough?” asked Miller.

Residents against said the resolution is one-sided and fails to mention Hamas and a ceasefire will put Israel and their hostages at greater risk.

“The perversity and hypocrisy here is just astonishing. I trust you will not aid in this morally corrupt attempt in diverting the board from its mandated job of making New Haven a better place for it’s residents,” said Ina Silverman, New Haven resident.

The meeting lasted over five hours.

The Board of Alders said they will not make a decision Wednesday night due to the length of testimony. They said the ceasefire resolution will be brought up for a vote this Monday, May 6.

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