Demonstrators urge Downey to support Gaza ceasefire

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Porto’s Bakery on Tuesday before marching to City Hall. Photo by Alex Dominguez

DOWNEY – A group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched to City Hall on Tuesday, urging the city council to join other L.A. County cities in supporting a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Armed with megaphones, signs, and flags, the group demonstrated outside Porto’s Bakery for about an hour before attending the city council meeting.

According to demonstrator Janel Magee, the protest was a way to get the attention of higher representatives, who she says “haven’t been listening to us” regarding the desire to end the conflict.

“We have decided to try to go to our local communities, our city councils to have our voices heard, and hopefully they can magnify them a little bit more,” said Magee. “It’ll just go on the record too that all of these local populations of people wanted a ceasefire, and it was not achieved.”

Magee added that the group was also calling for cities to divest any money that may be going to Israeli companies.

“We essentially just want representation from our local officials that are our first line of representation in the government, and divestment and sanctions on Israel to further them from being able to kill more Palestinian people,” said Magee.

Jose Barillas said “it is a city issue because there’s Palestinians who live in this city.”

“Locals and Palestinian people that lived here are affected, they have family in Gaza, they have family in Palestine, they are affected by this genocide,” said Barillas.

Some local cities, including Cudahy, Bell Gardens, La Puente and El Monte, have adopted resolutions in support of a ceasefire. Still, Barillas said “it’s not anything that’s going to happen tomorrow.”

“It’s a domino effect, and we are seeing cities such as Pasadena, Long Beach, Montebello passing ceasefire resolutions, so we want to follow those steps and make an impact, and we’re hoping for an impact, but again it’s not going to be tomorrow; it’s going to take a while,” said Barillas.

No comment was made from any member of the Downey City Council on whether or not they would pursue or support a ceasefire measure. However, tempers flared between Mayor Mario Trujillo and the demonstrators, with the group’s cheering, clapping, and multiple outbursts leading to several ejections from the meeting.