Gaza resolutions: Hayward mayor takes swipe at council colleague, state Sen. Wahab

Swalwell votes for "anti-Zionists are anti-semitic" House bill; Board of Supervisors roundup; AG Rob Bonta gets contribution from wife's re-election campaign

CITY NEWS

HAYWARD

—Activists seeking a local resolution for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflicts have to varying degrees argued with councilmembers.

—Last night in Hayward, the discord was between elected officials.

—Pro-Palestinian activists took their advocacy to the Hayward City Council on Tuesday night and we’re allowed to speak for over one hour.

—Like in other cities, they were passionate and resolute in demanding that Hayward officials approve a ceasefire resolution.

—At the conclusion of the public comment period, Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas was ready to move to the next item on the agenda, but not before Councilmember George Syrop, the council’s most progressive member, attempted to make a motion calling for a ceasefire resolution.

—Salinas quickly cut Syrop off. “Of all the people that know the rules,” Salinas chided Syrop. “Councilmember Syrop knows that you cannot make a motion after public comment.” Syrop helped amend the council’s handbook.

—But Salinas’ lack of decorum went further, negatively comparing Syrop’s activism to that of state Sen. Aisha Wahab, a former Hayward councilmember.

—“A few years ago, we had a councilmember up here,” Salinas said referring to Wahab, who served on the council from 2018 to 2022.

—“There was a lot of alienating us and backing us into a corner. It was bad policy making and reckless,” Salinas added.

—Salinas continued to dictate to Syrop, saying “There is a process we follow.”

—Councilmembers cannot initiate an action after public comment, but some indicated degrees of support last night for taking up a ceasefire resolution in the future.

—Syrop said he supports “protecting children over protecting precedent.” He urged activists in the chambers to continue applying pressure on the council. Syrop’s comments received a standing ovation and chants of “Ceasefire now!”

—Councilmembers Ray Bonilla, Jr., Angela Andrews, and Daniel Goldstein also said they support staff bringing back options for some type of action,.

—It wasn’t the first time Salinas has treated Syrop rudely during a council meeting. Salinas publicly ridiculed Syrop during a discussion last September on a proposed sideshow ordinance. See below:

Hayward mayor's epic anti-woke rant

—Keep an eye on the council ultimately coalescing around a proposal made during public comment by former Councilmember Sara Lamnin to craft a resolution with input from an interfaith council.

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