Maurer speaks up

In contrast to a statement from Council President Blaine Griffin, Cleveland City Council Member Rebecca Maurer voiced support for a Gaza ceasefire resolution.

Griffin stated that the legislative body “does not feel we are in a position to issue a fair and unbiased ceasefire resolution.”

Maurer said she supports a ceasefire, but said it’s clear that City Council will not pass a resolution calling for one. She said she disagreed with the idea that City Council is not the place for such a resolution or discussion. Maurer, who is Jewish, added that Cleveland is home to large Palestinian and Jewish communities, and Islamophobia and anti-Semitism have been on the rise across the country.

It is the role of city leaders to take a stand, Maurer said. She apologized for not doing so earlier.

Rules for disruption

Shortly after the meeting began, Griffin announced new rules and guidelines regarding disruption of City Council meetings.

The process includes:

• A warning from the council president, or “presiding officer,” for speaking out of turn
• A motion to recess if the presiding officer declares that the meeting has been disrupted
• The director of Public Safety ordering police officers to clear the room while council members recess

On Jan. 22, City Council approved separate changes to the rules for public comment.

Public safety grants

Council introduced legislation for a $250,000 grant for Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County. If passed, it will fund community engagement with the goal of increasing crime reporting, according to the legislation.

City Council also gave approval for the director of Public Safety to accept two grants from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services. One of the grants is about $19,000 for the Cleveland Homicide Review Commission. The other is about $80,000 for the Cartel Gangs Narcotics & Laundering Task Force.

Documenter Carolyn Cooper has more on that legislation from a Jan. 24 Safety Committee meeting.

Watch the full public comments or read transcripts edited by Documenter Gennifer Harding-Gosnell on the Public Comment CLE website created by Ohio City resident Angelo Trivisonno.

Read the notes from Documenter Kellie Morris:

Read the live-tweet thread from Documenter Christina Easter:

Suggested Reading

Cleveland City Council ‘does not feel we are in a position’ for Gaza ceasefire resolution, council president says

Despite the statement from Council President Blaine Griffin, one council member took to the floor to endorse a ceasefire.

by Nick Castele January 30, 2024October 18, 2024