Photo: Luke Awtry for Seven Days
The Burlington City Council held a hearing on September 13th 2021 about the Resolution in solidarity with the Palestinian people on Monday September 13th 2021.
Vermonters for Justice in Palestine (VTJP) and seventeen other organizational sponsors brought the Resolution proposal to Burlington City Council and it was approved by the Racial Equity Committee.
Livestream recording of the Resolution hearing, September 13th – on YouTube (5 hours!)
ο Opponents of the the Resolution mounted a fierce opposition fueled by an article from four Burlington Rabbis in the Vermont Digger here. (See excellent response in the VT Digger by Marc Estrin here and by Ashley Smith here )
ο And the Rabbi’s position echoed in some respects by Mayor Miro Weinberger here.
ο Grace Elletson stayed up until 2:20 am to write a report: here
She is VTDigger’s government accountability reporter, covering politics, state agencies and the Legislature.
ο City Council Resolution to Support BDS Movement Fails in Burlington, VT Counterpunch, September 20, 2021 by Ron Jacobs
ο By Rachel Mann Published: Sep. 14, 2021 WCAX TV: Following nearly five hours of discussion, Burlington City councilors voted to withdraw a pro-Palestinian resolution early Tuesday morning. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Resolution has been in the works since early summer.
ο Burlington Free Press: Burlington City Council withdraws resolution endorsing Israel boycotts
ο Seven Days article posted By Courtney Lamdin on Tue, Sep 14, 2021 – At Heated Meeting, Burlington City Council Withdraws BDS Resolution here
ο Islamic Society of Vermont Statement of Support here
ο Burlington BDS resolution to be withdrawn as sponsor cites concerns about antisemitism. By Asaf Shalev. September 13, 2021 Jewish Telegraphic Agency
ο Analysis of the Burlington City Resolution offered by Richard Silverstein in his blog Tikun Olam: here
and by Ashley Smith in the VT Digger here
ο Mondoweiss report here
ο AlJazeera report here
ο The Palestinian Struggle in Vermont with Wafic Faour Anthony Apodaca’s AbcCafé
VTJP put forward several points to emphasize when discussing the issues around BDS and justice for Palestinian people.
And Burlington’s Fletcher Free Library hosted a Webinar about the Resolution with panelists Wafic Faour and Ali Dieng.
Opponents of the the Resolution mounted a fierce opposition fueled by an article by four Burlington rabbis in the Vermont Digger, followed by a response by Marc Estrin. The Rabbis’ position was echoed in some respects by Mayor Miro Weinberger.
The Resolution was offered by Councilor Ali Dieng and sponsored by Vermonters for Justice in Palestine, and 18 endorsing organizations.
There were passionate statements for and against at the Council meeting on September 13th and it was eventually withdrawn by Councilor Dieng.
Here is a detailed analysis of the Resolution offered by Richard Silverstein in his blog Tikun Olam.