On Monday, March 4th, the Amherst Town Council will meet at the Amherst Regional Middle School to consider approving the Resolution in Support of a Ceasefire in Gaza. We need to show up in force to demonstrate the numbers and diversity of Amherst residents who support our resolution. We have more than 650 community sponsors and more than 40 organizational and business endorsements. Gaza is everywhere we look—let’s urge our own elected councilors not to turn their faces away. Let’s keep the spotlight on our ceasefire resolution and turn out in large numbers on March 4th!
The Town Council will meet on Monday, March 4, 2024, from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium (170 Chestnut Street, Amherst). You can participate in person, on Zoom, or by telephone. A period of public comment will be held at the meeting, with comments limited to 2 minutes per person. The Resolution in Support of a Ceasefire in Gaza will be one of only two action items on the agenda.
2. A request to all Jewish-identified community sponsors: please read and sign onto by noon on Friday, March 1st. (note: deadline has passed but you can contact amherst4ceasefire@gmail.com with questions) To read and add your name to the letter, please click on this link: <https://forms.gle/hW5cumhmFqbGVVEi6> .
3. Updated information about the March 4th council meeting 5:30 pm: Standout/Vigil in front of the Middle School. Meet in front of the middle school early to stand in a few minutes of solidarity and support with each other before we go in. Bring your signs with messages encouraging councilors to vote Yes on the resolution, and please try to avoid any negative messaging towards the council at this time since they have not voted yet and we are trying to win them over to a Yes. If you can, include your name or group with which you identify, such as “Healthcare workers for a ceasefire!” We will have singing and a limited number of speakers outside before we go inside together.
6:30 pm: Council Meeting/Public Comment. Bring your “vote yes for a ceasefire” signs into the meeting and sign up to make a comment when you enter the room. Plan to arrive by 6:00 pm if you intend to make public comment. You can also make a public comment if you attend on Zoom. The meeting agenda with the Zoom link to the meeting can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/16840
A note on public comment: Written public comment to the council should be sent by 3pm on Friday 3/1 (at the latest) via this link: <https://www.amherstma.gov/councilcomments>. (note: the deadline has also passed for written comments) Oral public comment will be kept strictly to 2 minutes, so we suggest submitting your full comments by email and keeping it short but powerful at the meeting. Please contact us for FAQs and guidelines for effective public comment. amherst4ceasefire@gmail.com
Please fill out our quick RSVP form to help us better prepare for the meeting.