Published on February 4, 2024, 1:42 am

In a remarkable instance of serving symbolism over substance, the Chicago City Council expended valuable time and taxpayer funds to pass a resolution demanding an end to the violence in Gaza. The vote was tied until Mayor Brandon Johnson, who ran on a comprehensive criminal justice platform, broke it, enabling the measure’s passage on Wednesday. Directed at the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza that commenced after Hamas initiated attacks in October, this resolution’s effectiveness is purely symbolic and does not alter the dynamics of the conflict.

The council chambers were required to be cleared due to disturbances caused predominantly by pro-ceasefire observers, marking this as Johnson’s second such initiative. Support for this motion was bolstered by Chicago Public Schools students who had been permitted to partake in Tuesday protests advocating for cessation of overseas hostilities.

This symbolically-charged act happens amidst an escalating crime situation in Mayor Johnson’s Chicago. It would perhaps be more pertinent if the Council worked towards ending violence within their own city limits. The dire reality is palpable: students residing in North and West Side neighborhoods are constantly threatened by violence in their own communities. In 2023 alone, Chicago reported 617 homicides and 2,450 shootings which saw its murder rate skyrocket to quintuple that of New York City.

Amidst this cause for concern at home, Mayor Johnson has inexplicably endorsed moving along with half of the city council lending support to symbolic causes globally – a decidedly strange decision considering its negligible impact on conflicts far off from home.

Ill-considered as it may seem, it continues to stump observers as to why Council members felt compelled enough about a foreign conflict when issues within their jurisdiction jostle for attention. Israel or Hamas is unlikely concerned about what Chicago City Council opines – further reinforcing that such attempts only serve political grandstanding than meaningful peace efforts.

It becomes heartening then that even amidst heightened discourse about international warfare, Chicogoan citizens continue highlighting local realities. Johnson faced severe criticism from social media users, with many accusing him of overlooking worsening internal crime rates in favor of symbolic foreign policy gestures.

An effort such as a ceasefire ought to be directed closer to home – in their own city; this sentiment was echoed by many who frowned upon the Council’s decision to expend time and resources on an overseas gesture while Chicagoans endured hardship and danger on their streets.

The voice of people rings true even amidst chaos; it remains hopeful that the collective will consider these actions when casting votes come fall. The advent of real news or trusted news anchored in a Christian worldview has always stressed local, concrete action over far-removed symbolism. It is crucial for those at the helm of power to remember these principles and work towards making tangible changes at home before attempting peace-making internationally.