Residents continue to speak up about Israel Bonds

Protests calling for Cuyahoga County to immediately stop investments in Israel continued during Cuyahoga County Council’s meeting on Sept. 10. The county holds about $16 million of Ohio’s $262 million in Israel Bonds. Although council withdrew a divestment resolution in June, residents have continued to address the issue during public comment, both supporting and opposing council’s decision.

About a dozen people commended council members for their decision to withdraw the resolution and shared their views on Israel’s war on Gaza.

Cleveland resident Alex Szaruga said he felt safe knowing that council “supports the Jewish community in Cleveland.”

Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian supporters protested on the street outside council chambers, the noise carrying into the room.

Inside, two women approached the public comment podium without being asked to speak. They placed three pairs of children’s shoes and clothing on the podium. One of the women, Jenna Muhieddine, started to direct council’s attention to a QR code before the mic was cut. 

Muhieddine and the other woman walked away but left the children’s items. Security removed all of the items and public comment continued.

Cuyahoga County Council settles on public comment rules

Council also approved new public comment rules, including capping public comment at 30 people.

Before this summer, there was no limit to how many people could sign up and speak. In July, council temporarily changed the rules to limit speakers to 20 people but still allowed three minutes per speaker. The change came on the heels of a string of hours-long public comment sessions about Israel Bonds. 

Under the new, more permanent rules, the 30 speakers are limited to two minutes each during public comment. Additional speakers may be added with approval from the chair. People can still submit written statements that are distributed to all council members or the relevant committee.

The new rules apply to meetings happening through 2025.

Some new (and some familiar) faces in town

Council is considering several appointments – and reappointments – to different county boards. They include:

Cuyahoga County Citizens’ Advisory Council on Equity

• Sheila Wright, co-founder and president of Frontline Development Group, LLC and former executive director of NAACP of Cleveland
• Stephen Caviness, project management director at Team NEO

Cuyahoga County Public Defender Commission

• Ronnie Dunn, professor of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and member of the Cleveland Police Monitoring Team

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging’s Board of Trustees

• Sue Biagianti, social worker and consultant
• Mary McNamara, director of Aging at the City of Cleveland

A council committee is to discuss these appointments and reappointments on Sept. 17. 

Read the notes from Documenter Ashley Lubecky:

Read the live-tweets from Documenter Regina Samuels: